New Colonoscopy Technology Available Exclusively at Hamilton Medical Center Hamilton Medical Center now performs colonoscopies with innovative new endoscopy equipment that allows physicians to see nearly twice what is seen with a traditional endoscope. This technology is not available at any other facility between Atlanta, Georgia, and Nashville, Tennessee. The Fuse endoscope system uses three small cameras at the tip of a flexible GI endoscope. “Unlike standard, forwardviewing endoscopes that use a single camera, the Fuse system allow us to see nearly twice as much surface area,” says Stephanie LaFontaine, MD, of Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology. “The Fuse endoscope projects the images onto three television screens to provide previously unseen views, such as behind colonic folds. Standard endoscopes provide up to 170 degrees of forward vision. Fuse allows us to examine a wide 330-degree view. This is especially advantageous because polyps can be found in difficult-to-find areas of the anatomy,” says Dr. LaFontaine. Jeremy McMahan, colon cancer survivor 4 5 Patient scheduling with the new Fuse system is now available at Hamilton Medical Center. Have you had your colonoscopy yet? Be sure to discuss this important screening with your primary care physician. Comparison between traditional colonoscopy equipment and the new Fuse technology Colon Cancer Survivor: Jeremy McMahan Jeremy McMahan began to experience some gastrointestinal symptoms, so he scheduled a colonoscopy at Hamilton Medical Center with Daniel Marcadis, MD, of Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology. Soon after the test, Dr. Marcadis met with Jeremy and shared with him that the colonoscopy revealed that he had colon cancer. “I was healthy, with no other problems,” says Jeremy. “It was a shock at first. My wife and I talked about it and we decided that we were going to beat this. From there on, we had positive attitudes.“ Jeremy underwent two separate surgeries to remove the tumor and repair the damage to his colon. He also received chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Hamilton Cancer Institute. “My life is great now,” says Jeremy. “I get out and play with my kids. I go to basketball games. I enjoy life.” “Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the third leading cause in women,” says Dr. Marcadis. “Screening is extremely important because many people who have polyps or colorectal cancer don’t experience any symptoms.” If symptoms are present, they can include: • Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement) • Pains, aches, or cramps in your stomach that don’t go away • Losing weight and you don’t know why The American Cancer Society recommends that most everyone should have a colonoscopy at age 50. A screening should be conducted at an earlier age if there is a family history of colorectal cancer. *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention View obtained through traditional colonoscopy equipment View obtained through new Fuse colonoscope Traditional Colonoscope Limited 170° Field of View Fuse Colonoscope Panoramic 330° Field of View
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