Patient Shares Experience at Holzer Center for Cancer Care
March was recently recognized as colorectal cancer awareness month, and for some that means a little more. For instance, John Rairden was diagnosed over 10 years ago with colon cancer, but today is cancer-free and enjoying all that life has to offer.
“I went in for a routine colonoscopy with Dr. Christopher, Holzer Gastroenterologist, and they found something,” John shared. “At the time, we didn’t think it was cancer, but the biopsy came back as stage 3 colon cancer. They were able to remove it, however, I was told if I had additional chemo treatments, there was a 75% chance it wouldn’t return, so I decided to have treatments at the Holzer Center for Cancer Care.”
John created a relationship with Dr. Hamid, Holzer Oncologist, and has continued to have routine checkups with him and the Cancer Center staff. “Dr. Hamid is great. He listened to all our questions and was always checking for any adverse effects of chemotherapy. He treated me and my wife like family.”
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the US. When it is found early during screening, it’s usually smaller and easier to treat. The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Individuals who have a family history of colorectal cancer, personal history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease may need to start screenings earlier. Talk to your primary care provider about what your screening timeline looks like.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance shares that living a healthy colon lifestyle means eating foods and following health habits that can help prevent colorectal cancer and other diseases. A few tips include: drinking 64 ounces of water/day, increase fiber intake (fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, pears, apples, bananas, peas, broccoli) increase whole grains, eat lean proteins such as skinless chicken, turkey or fish, limit red meat, reduce processed meats, reduce excess sugar, and eliminate fried foods.
When asked what John would like to share with other community members about the Holzer Center for Cancer Care, he responded, “I highly recommend this Center. From the time I checked in to the time I checked out, the care was unbelievable. If people have a need, this is the place to come.”
John and his wife, Tina, live in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. They have two sons, Preston and Parker, and recently welcomed their first grandchild, Millie May.
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