Ethicon Endo-Surgery Partners with CBS HealthWatch To Educate About Colorectal Cancer, the Importance of Early Detection and Lifesaving Treatment Options

CINCINNATI, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) is partnering with CBS HealthWatch™ and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) to present a live webcast on "Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Digestive Disease."  The event will kick-off an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early screening and treatment, including minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedures that can reduce tissue trauma, leading to better patient outcomes.  Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.(1)  While screening is the key to early detection in colon cancer, leading to a 90 percent survival rate,(2) treatment also is an important factor in the survival rate of colon cancer patients. 

During the webcast, a panel of six nationally-recognized colorectal surgeons will answer questions from patients, caregivers and medical providers.  The webcast will be moderated by Dr. Travis Stork of the Emmy-award winning talk show "The Doctors" and stream live on March 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.  For more information or to view the webcast, visit www.CBSNewYork.com/colonhealth.

"Ethicon Endo-Surgery has a long history of working with the medical and advocacy community to ensure that patients have access to the best possible surgical care for colorectal illnesses," said Gabe Szabo, Vice President of U.S. Marketing at EES.  "We are committed to advancing early diagnosis and the treatment of colon cancer through our innovative surgical products, and patient advocacy efforts focusing on professional and patient education to improve patient outcomes.  By partnering with leading industry advocates like CBS HealthWatch™ and ASCRS, we can raise awareness of this disease, and how to detect and treat it successfully, leading to more lives saved."

The panel of surgeon participants will include Harry Papaconstantinou, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, Scott & White Memorial Hospital; Anthony Senagore, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, Professor and Chief, Colorectal Surgery USC Norris Cancer Hospital/Keck Medical Center of USC; Michael Stamos, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, University of California Irvine School of Medicine; David E. Stein, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, Drexel University College of Medicine; Sharon Stein, M.D., ABS, ABCRS, Case Western Reserve University School of Medical Center; and Scott Steele, M.D., Madigan Army Medical Center (Tacoma, Wash.).

The March 28 webcast is the latest initiative in an educational campaign that also includes a series of EES-sponsored promotional announcements (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/6843326-ethicon-endo-surgery/) currently airing in six cities across the U.S. (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami and Sacramento) through April 6.  The announcements feature Michael Stamos, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, University of California Irvine School of Medicine; Mark Zebley, M.D., FACS, FASCRS; Larry Whelan, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital; and F. Clark Odom, M.D., FASCRS, discussing the benefits of minimally invasive colon procedures.  The sponsored promos direct those seeking more information to www.smarterpatient.com/coloncancer, the patient education section on EES' website.

In addition to the patient education website (www.smarterpatient.com/coloncancer), EES provides a range of innovative solutions for colorectal surgery, including a comprehensive professional education program, and advanced energy and stapling products that facilitate colorectal procedures.  These products include HARMONIC^® and ENSEAL^® advanced energy technology as well the ECHELON FLEX™ ENDOPATH^® Stapler, the EES Linear Cutter, the EES Intraluminal Stapler, and the Contour Curved Cutter Stapler.

Know the Facts about Colon Cancer, Screening and Treatment Options

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is one of the deadliest and most expensive diseases to treat.  It afflicts nearly 150,000 new patients each year, and claims the lives of nearly 50,000 more.(2)  Half of the lives lost each year to colon cancer could be saved if every adult over age 50 followed simple screening guidelines.(2)

Treatment options for colon cancer range from chemotherapy to surgery.  In the case of surgery, there is a traditional "open" procedure (which requires a large incision) as well as a minimally invasive approach (laparoscopic, with small incisions) that is equally effective.  While a traditional open colon surgery (resection) may be appropriate for some patients, minimally invasive procedures have been proven to provide outcomes equivalent to or better than those of conventional open surgery and have many significant benefits to patients undergoing this type of surgery, including:

• Less pain after surgery.(3)
• Less scarring.
• Fewer complications.(4)
• Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery and return to work/normal activities.  Patients leave the hospital between 0.4 and 7.1 days sooner, return to work between 5 and 26 days earlier, and return to normal activities between 28.7 to 44.1 days sooner.(3,5)
• More cost effective.  Patients save between $438 and $8,286 in hospital costs.(5)

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery is the world's leader in providing advanced medical devices for minimally invasive and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling devices for thoracic, general, bariatric and gynecology surgery. More information can be found at www.ethiconendosurgery.com.

References:

(1) National Cancer Institute; retrieved from www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/colorectal/Patient/page2.

(2) Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures, American Cancer Society, 2008.

(3) Noel JK, Fahrbach K, Estok R, et al. Minimally invasive colorectal resection outcomes: short-term comparison with open procedures. J Am Coll Surg. 2007; 204(2): 291-307.

(4) Guller U, Jain N, Hervey S, et. al. Laparoscopic vs Open Colectomy. Arch Surg. 2003; 138:1179-86.

(5) Roumm, A R, Pizzi, L, Goldfarb, NI, Cohn, H. Minimally Invasive, Minimally Reimbursed? An Examination of Six Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures. Surg Innov. 2005; 12; 261.

SOURCE Ethicon Endo-Surgery