Patient Education

Helping Your Patient Make Informed Choices About Her Hysterectomy Treatment Options

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 600,000 women undergo hysterectomy each year in the United States; by the age of 60, nearly one in three will have undergone the procedure.¹ These women could be your patients, mother, wife, daughters, friends or even you. The good news is that there are many more hysterectomy choices today that use innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques to reduce pain, minimize scarring and shorten recovery times. At HerHealth.org, women will find information to help them make informed decisions about their treatment options and learn the risks and benefits of laparoscopic hysterectomy. HerHealth.org features helpful videos, including:

• Animations that explain the different surgical options in easy-to-understand terms
• Surgeon testimonials that answer frequently asked questions about surgery and its risks and benefits
• Patient testimonials that reveal personal experiences

Not all gynecologists are trained to perform laparoscopic hysterectomy, so HerHealth.org features a Surgeon Finder tool to locate trained surgeons. If you are a surgeon performing minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures, please contact your local Olympus representative to find out how you can register your practice on the HerHealth.org Surgeon Finder.

¹ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hysterectomy Rates in the United States 1990-1997. Obstetrics & Gynecology: Feb. 2002: Vol. 99, Iss. 2, p. 229-234. Accessed 10-11-10. http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2002/02000/Hysterectomy_Rates_in_the_United_States_1990_1997.12.aspx

Find it First Campaign Raises Colon Cancer Awareness

Colon cancer is preventable and easily beatable if detected early. Anyone who is age 50 or older or has a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors should be screened. Olympus is committed to screening advocacy efforts and is encouraging those at risk to be screened. At FinditFirst.com, your patients, family and friends can find a wealth of information regarding colon cancer prevention and screening. What’s more, by committing to be screened, you’ll be helping Olympus donate up to $50,000 toward awareness and advocacy efforts ($1 per commitment).

Commit today!

To help support Find it First, download banners and logos here.

Beat colon cancer before it beats you.

Survivors Share Their Stories

Stories of Hope a Reminder to All: Be Screened. Be Sure.

For the past seven years The Colon Club’s yearly calendar, the Colondar, has helped raise awareness about colorectal cancer (CRC) in unique and inspiring ways. This 12-month calendar illustrates that colon cancer does not discriminate against any age, gender, race or profession. Olympus proudly supports The Colon Club’s efforts to raise awareness about life-saving CRC screening as we continue in our quest to develop innovative technologies to combat and eradicate this highly preventable, beatable disease. Meet this year’s 12 survivors, all under the age of 50, who have gone public with their stories. Order your 2011 Colondar now ($16.50) and help to further CRC awareness efforts. For additional stories of hope like Andrea’s and Christian’s, click here.

Survivor Turns Experience Into a Career Choice and Commitment

Andrea Bruno was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 16. Then at 25, she began experiencing worrisome symptoms. Knowing that Crohn's disease raised her risk of developing colon cancer, she looked for a doctor who understood her risks. Her doctor found a stricture during colonoscopy, and biopsies confirmed that the stricture had become malignant. Andrea is a great example of how to be your own advocate, and she has turned her experience into something positive. “With encouragement from my doctor, I switched career gears and trained to become an endoscopy technician,” says Andrea. “I’m also currently furthering my education in healthcare. Through my battle with Crohn’s and cancer, I’ve found my calling.”

Today, Andrea is committed more than ever to educating others about screening, early detection and the importance of "listening" to your own body. In addition to her job at Gulf Coast Endoscopy Center in Fort Myers, Florida, she travels to other local-area healthcare facilities and clinics to speak with physicians, advocating early screening for their patients and highlighting some of the risk factors than can be found in younger populations. Andrea also serves as a committee member and is the support group facilitator for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Fort Myers Chapter.

Survivor Finds the Silver Lining as an Awareness Advocate

Life hasn’t been easy for Christian Cotsakos’ family, which had endured four cases of colon cancer and one each of stomach, uterine and breast cancers. Then at age 24, Lynch syndrome was discovered in his family, and Christian also had it—an inherited condition that increased his risk of colon and other cancers. But the diagnosis didn’t slow Christian down when it came to his extremely active lifestyle. When symptoms first surfaced, he ignored them and kept busy.

When the pain became too much, he finally went to see a doctor. Initially any cancer-Lynch syndrome connection was missed, but finally, at the age of 26, Christian’s worst fears were confirmed. He was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer. Now Christian is adjusting to life as a survivor. In his spare time, he donates his graphic design skills to The Colon Club, and has begun giving awareness presentations to local-area youth groups and the Live Strong Young Adult Cancer Alliance. As a result of some tough life experiences, Christian has been able to discover the silver lining, finding new purpose filling a role as a poster boy for colon cancer awareness and advocacy efforts, and hopefully helping to save some lives along the way.