Experts Participate in Panel to Combat Colorectal Cancer Rates in Ashland County
A panel of five experts answered questions Tuesday at University Hospital’s Samaritan Medical Center about a disease that’s becoming a growing concern in the Ashland County community. According to the National Cancer Institute, Ashland County has higher rates of death from colorectal cancer than state and national averages. Tuesday evening, the Ashland County Health and Wellness Target Action Group (TAG) organized a panel discussion to begin turning those numbers around.
The panel experts included Sarah Rivenburgh, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in oncology nutrition at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, Jenny Keesee, a board member of the Ashland County Cancer Association, Megan Sippey MD, a general surgeon at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, Mehrdad Tavallaee MD, a physician specializing in internal medicine at University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, and Liza Hillel BA MSN, a medical science liaison with Exact Sciences. Elisa Bryant, MSML, BSN, a business project manager for oncology services at Mansfield and OhioHealth Shelby Hospitals, moderated the event.
Experts discussed some of the factors that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, such as family history and genes. Dr. Sippey says a person is at an especially high risk if they have a family member diagnosed before the age of 45. There are also things you can do to decrease your risk of getting this disease, like eating right. According to Rivenburgh, there is strong evidence that whole grains, fiber, and dairy help to reduce the risk of cancer. Conversely, studies show red meat and processed foods can lead to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
“Red meat is high in heme-iron and when it’s digested, it creates free radicals that result in damage to DNA and cells,” said Rivenburgh. “If your body doesn’t clear it, it could lead to cancer down the road. When your body digests the heme iron, it can create N-nitroso compounds, or NOCs, which are carcinogenic to the body. For these reasons, we recommend eating little, if any, processed meat and limit red meat to 12-18 ounces per week.”
Experts agreed it’s crucial to improve the screening rates in Ashland County. According to data from the Ohio Department of Health, only 48% of Ashland County’s residents between the ages of 50 and 75 have screened for Colorectal Cancer. “Colorectal cancer is the most preventable cancer, given what we know about how polyps take 10 to 15 years to turn into a cancer-yet it’s the least prevented cancer, said Hillel. When asked what one change the experts would make to lower colorectal cancer deaths, majority said comply with screenings.
After the panel discussion, a 75-year-old colorectal cancer survivor shared her story. Nancy Wasen of Ashland was diagnosed with HPV in 2010, as well as tongue cancer. While she beat that, she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023. She’s since gone through radiation and chemotherapy. A colonoscopy procedure isn’t exactly comfortable, but Wasen says it’s better than a cancer diagnosis.
