Stanford Colorectal Surgeon to Answer Your Questions About Colon Cancer at a Free Seminar in Merced and Turlock on March 7

If you’re 50 or older, you need to think about being screened for colon cancer.

Natalie Kirilcuk, MD, a Stanford University School of Medicine colorectal surgeon, will answer your questions about colon cancer at a free seminar in Merced on March 7.

The seminar, which is co-sponsored by Emanuel Cancer Center and Stanford Healthcare, will focus on the signs, symptoms, screening and treatment of colon cancer. The event will be held at 7 pm in the Holiday Inn Express, 151 S. Parsons Ave. Dr. Kirilcuk is a clinical assistant professor, surgery – general surgery at Stanford. 

“It’s very important that people over 50 undergo a colorectal cancer screening because your chances of developing the disease increase considerably after reaching the half century mark,” said Michael Iltis, Executive Director of Emanuel Cancer Center. “This seminar is an opportunity for community residents to have their questions answered by a Stanford specialist, and to find out what they can do to both reduce their risk of developing colon cancer and take charge of their own wellness.”

Area residents who are unable to attend the evening seminar in Merced have the option of attending a similar event earlier the same day at Emanuel Cancer Center. That seminar will start at 10 am. The Cancer Center is at 880 E. Tuolumne Road in Turlock. 

To register for the Merced or Turlock seminar phone (209) 250-5355

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 90 percent of those cases involve people ages 50 and up.

Other risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing colorectal cancer include:

• Having a personal history of colorectal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
• Having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer
• Being African-American
• Eating a diet high in fat
• Being physically inactive
• Obesity
• Smoking and heavy alcohol use
• Diabetes 

People at increased risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about being screened for the disease before the age of 50. Colorectal cancer may be diagnosed after symptoms appear, but most people with early stage disease will not experience any symptoms.

About Emanuel Cancer Center

Opened in 2007, the Emanuel Cancer Center brings advanced cancer care to the Central Valley. The Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer in recognition of its quality of treatment and care. Emanuel Cancer Center includes advanced diagnostic services at the Ruby E. Bergman Women’s Diagnostic Center, medical oncology, radiation oncology at Stanford Emanuel Radiation Oncology Center, surgical and other services for cancer patients and their families.