To coincide with March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the Voorhees-Gibbsboro Lions Club will host a free community lecture on the illness on Sunday, March 23, at the M. Allan Vogelson branch library.
The session will offer attendees valuable insights on prevention, symptoms and treatment options.
Colon cancer begins in the large intestine, the end of the digestive tract. It typically starts as small, non-cancerous clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some of them can become cancerous, but they may produce few, if any, symptoms, so regular screening is crucial.
The lecture’s featured speaker is Dr. Jamie Kasper, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. Kasper has more than two decades of experience treating individuals with digestive disorders. In addition to her clinical practice, she is a clinical assistant professor at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Kasper got her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania (now part of Drexel University’s College of Medicine), followed by a residency and fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. She also has more than 20 years of experience in private practice in Philadelphia, and in her current role at Virtua, she is dedicated to educating the community about colon cancer.
Kasper emphasizes that one of the most common misconceptions about the cancer is that it always presents noticeable symptoms.
“People need to realize that colon cancer doesn’t always have signs and symptoms,” she explained. “A lot of people believe that if they don’t have a family history, they’re not at risk. The reality is that symptoms often don’t appear until years later.”
The doctor added that roughly 25% of individuals have polyps that can be a precursor to cancer. While colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in both men and women, the encouraging news is that younger individuals are becoming more aware of early screening.
Advancements in gastroenterology have also improved both screening and treatment. Kasper highlighted tools like the GI Genius, an artificial intelligence system that helps detect smaller polyps during colonoscopies.
“The GI Genius helps pick up things you might want to look at more closely,” Kasper advised. “It’s a valuable tool that’s available across our hospitals and treatment centers.”
For non-invasive screening, Kasper recommends Cologuard, an at-home test designed for individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer.
“Cologuard is a great option for some patients and is recommended every three years,” she said.
But Kasper stressed that colonoscopy remains the most effective screening method because it offers a comprehensive way to detect and prevent colon cancer.
Space for the library lecture event is limited, and interested attendees are encouraged to register in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-colon-cancer-lecture-tickets-1233940291629?aff=oddtdtcreator.
