[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/kens-story-colon-cancer\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/kens-story-colon-cancer\/","headline":"Ken’s Story: How a Colonoscopy Helped Him Beat Cancer","name":"Ken’s Story: How a Colonoscopy Helped Him Beat Cancer","description":"An important tool for preventing cancer is a colonoscopy where a small camera is used to examine the colon. Ken traveled to UPMC Passavant\u2013McCandless for his.","datePublished":"2022-02-28","dateModified":"2023-04-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GASTRO_ASSOC_PGH_20220105-249-REPRO.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GASTRO_ASSOC_PGH_20220105-249-REPRO.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/kens-story-colon-cancer\/","about":["Cancer Care","Health Topics A-Z","UPMC Stories"],"wordCount":804,"articleBody":"It was a routine colonoscopy for Ken Senatore.Franklin Park resident Ken Senatore has been a patient of Dr. Ravi since 1998 at Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC.The Franklin Park resident, 59, was diagnosed at age 36 with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation and ulcers in the large intestine. His doctor, Jan Ravi, MD, a gastroenterologist at UPMC Passavant and Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC, recommended regular colonoscopies every three or four years after his initial diagnosis of the disease because patients with ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.One of the most important tools for preventing cancer is a colonoscopy. In this procedure, a small camera is used to examine the colon. Ken would travel to the UPMC Passavant\u2013McCandless Gastrointestinal Center for his colonoscopies, which are the most common gastrointestinal (GI) procedures performed at the hospital.Ken’s daily life had not drastically changed with his diagnosis, and he only dealt with a few flareups. He took a low-dose maintenance drug to help combat the ulcerative colitis. After the 15-year anniversary of his diagnosis, Dr. Ravi suggested Ken begin annual colonoscopies. This advice would ultimately save Ken’s life.Fast forward to December 2018. \u201cDr. Ravi found a suspicious lesion during a routine colonoscopy,” Ken says. \u201cA biopsy confirmed it was can\u00adcerous.”Catching Colon Cancer Early\u201cWhen caught early, colon cancer is treat\u00adable,” says Michelle Victain, DO, a gastroenterologist at Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC in Wexford. \u201cScreening enables us to remove polyps before they become cancerous.”David Medich, MD, chief of UPMC colorectal surgeryPolyps are abnormal growths in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer often has no symptoms, which is why colonoscopy screening is so important.Dr. Ravi then referred Ken to David Medich, MD, chief of UPMC colorectal surgery, whospecializes in the care of patients with rectal cancer and ulcerative colitis. In January 2019, Dr. Medich performed a right colectomy to remove the cancer and so as not to take out Ken’s entire colon. About half of his colon was removed and Ken would not have to drastically change his lifestyle.Ken also underwent a brief round of chemotherapy to remove any remaining cancer cells.Ken has been cancer-free ever since. To lower the risk of his cancer returning, he exercises regularly, following recommendations from his doctors. He walks at least two miles a day and runs three to four days a week.\u201cMy doctors were fantastic. I’m very fortunate that Dr. Ravi was so adamant about the need for regular colonoscopies to watch for and identify the cancer. And Dr. Medich was a godsend,” Ken says. \u201cMy life would be so different now without the care they gave me.”Comprehensive GI Care, Closer to HomeKen’s story is not uncommon. As many as 70 million people in the United States have a digestive disorder. But, how do you know if your stomach pains are a more serious problem that could require a doctor visit? Reasons can include a change in bowel habits, nausea or vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and unintentional weight loss.\u201cIt’s essential to see a doctor for persistent symptoms to find out if the condition is harm\u00adless or serious. If it is serious, it’s best treated in the early stages when it is most treatable,” Dr. Ravi says.Comprehensive GI services are now available in the northern communities of Pittsburgh, close to home. A vast range of screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment services at UPMC Passavant’s GI Center include:BARRX\u00ae procedure.BravoTM esophageal pH test.Breath tests.Colonic stenting.Colonoscopy.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.Endoscopic ultrasound.Endoscopy.Esophageal and colon dilation.Esophageal manometry.Flexible sigmoidoscopy.Ileoscopy.Peg tube placement.Single balloon enteroscopy.Many GI conditions can be treated with medicine or a minimally invasive proce\u00addure. If patients do need surgery, UPMC Passavant\u2013McCandless gastroenterologists work closely with the hospital’s colorectal and general surgeons.\u201cGreat patient care happens at UPMC Passavant\u2013McCandless and the GI team is every bit a part of that,” Dr. Medich says.Michael Mlecko, MD, a gastroenterolo\u00adgist at UPMC Passavant and Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC says they also collaborate with UPMC Passavant thoracic surgeons. \u201cThey help us with our patients who have intractable heartburn and esophageal tumors,” he says.Expert GI Care Is Closer Than You ThinkNo matter where you live in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh and beyond, you can count on world-class gastrointestinal services. Nearby locations include:Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC5500 Brooktree Road, Suite 201 Wexford, PA 15090724-933-1420Northern Gastroenterology\u2013UPMC3285 Babcock Blvd.Pittsburgh, PA 15237412-318-00751 St. Francis WayBuilding 3, Suite 211Cranberry Township, PA 16066724-935-8452Learn more and schedule an appointment online.BARRX\u00ae is a trademark of Medtronic. Bravo\u2122 is a trademark of BreviTest Technologies, LLC.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 28, 2022, and was last reviewed on February 3, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Ken’s Story: How a Colonoscopy Helped Him Beat Cancer","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/kens-story-colon-cancer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]