Gastrointestinal Associates emphasizes the need for colon screenings

As Washington policymakers debated health care reform on weekend talk shows, 48 people who are out of work or without health insurance received free colonoscopy screenings at Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) here.

More than half of the group at the first “GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day” had polyps removed. One was Gloria Hutchison, 60, a Knoxville woman with no health insurance.

“I saw the sign at The Free Medical Clinic and knew I should do it,” Hutchison said. “I have a family history of polyps. I am so glad I was able to do this; it’s so important. They did find a polyp and removed it.”

Polyps are typically benign, but a small percentage may contain a small area of cancer or develop into cancer. Colon cancer is the second most deadly type.

“More than half of the people screened today had polyps, and this is a higher percentage than in the population as a whole,” said Dr. Bergein F. (Gene) Overholt of GIA. “This is a big step in the battle against colon cancer. It was a real privilege to serve this group of people.”

GIA screened recipients referred by the InterFaith Health Clinic and The Free Medical Clinic of America, two Knoxville-based organizations that provide health care to those in need.

Overholt called on other U.S. gastrointestinal practices to replicate “GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day” to help those less fortunate and to make everyone aware of the need for colon screenings.

“The national health care debate has focused attention on the role of physicians and other health care professionals,” he said. “I think this can be a great demonstration of the concern medical professionals have for the well-being of their patients.”

Periodic colon exams are essential to preventing colon cancer, especially for persons age 50 or over. People with a family history of colon cancer may need to have the exam even earlier.

Of the 48 persons screened Saturday, a total of 25 had polyps removed and sent for testing, 16 women and nine men. Twenty-three had no polyps, 15 women and eight men.

Other screening sponsors include Anesthesia Associates of Knoxville, Mercy Health Partners, Premier Surgical Associates, The Endoscopy Center, GI Pathology of Memphis, Boston Scientific, Interactive Optics, the American Cancer Society and Braintree Laboratories Inc.