Polyps are one of the most common colorectal conditions, occurring in 15 - 20 percent of the adult population. They can occur anywhere in the large intestine or rectum, but are more commonly found in the left colon, sigmoid colon, or rectum. In this segment Steven Nurkin, MD, MS, FACS, gives you vital information on the importance of a colonoscopy for removing colon polyps before they become malignant which can effectively prevent cancer.

Let’s face it: no cancer is a good cancer. But if you do get cancer, being diagnosed at Stage 0 might be considered a best-case scenario. More women are diagnosed with breast cancer than with any other cancer in this country. This year, an estimated 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with 63,410 of those women being diagnosed with "in situ" breast cancer, often referred to as Stage 0. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for women with stage 0 breast cancer is close to 100%. In this important segment, Helen Cappuccino, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Breast Surgery Division, Department of Surgical Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses stage 0 breast cancer and the incredible advances that have made this a very treatable cancer.

Decades ago a diagnosis of breast cancer was devastating and almost always meant that a woman would undergo a mastectomy, the removal of the entire breast. Today with regular screening mammograms, breast cancers are often caught in earlier stages, allowing women the choice between a lumpectomy (removal of part of the breast) and a mastectomy. Joining the show is Jessica Young, MD. She is a breast surgeon with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is here to discuss the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy and to help educate you to make the best decision based on your diagnosis.

Staying in the hospital, even for a few days can be unsettling. It's not your own bed, you're away from your loved ones, and when you wake each morning nothing in the room looks remotely familiar. In addition, some hospital procedures and rules can be a source of frustration if you're unprepared for them. Pamela McLaughlin, MSN, RN, OCN, joins the show to offer tips that can help you avoid surprises and make your time with us more comfortable.

Lymphedema is abnormal fluid retention and swelling that typically develops in the arms or legs but may occur anywhere in the body, including the trunk, breasts, genitals, face, head and neck. It can also be a potential side effect of cancer treatment.  Thanks to improved surgical techniques, today’s cancer patients are far less likely to develop lymphedema after surgery. Those who are affected by the condition may undertake a whole new set of challenges and can find help at Roswell Park’s Lymphedema Clinic, the only physician-managed lymphedema program in Western New York. Joining the show to discuss how Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center can assist patients with lymphedema is Monica Hubbert, MOT, OTR/L, CLT. She is an Occupational Therapist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo N.Y.

The Holidays are a time of joy and celebration; a time to reunite with family and friends and revel in tradition. However, the news of a cancer diagnosis can halt holiday cheer. In fact, the holiday season can prompt new questions for you, such as: How do I take care of myself and participate in the holiday rush? How can I celebrate when I have so many other things on my mind? What will my life be like next year? Sharing these concerns with friends and family can help you manage the struggles of the season. One of the main stressors that people and patients may experience around the holidays is the pressure of expectations. There is gift giving, visiting with family, party planning and so on. For cancer patients in particular, the added stress of the holidays may be a result of addressing questions of diagnosis and treatment. This creates anxiety in an already stressful time of the year. Here to offer some tips for coping with cancer during the holidays is Megan Pailler, PhD. She is a Psychologist, Department of Psychosocial Oncology with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

If you or a loved one is facing a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, or you seek a second opinion, the oncology experts of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are here for you. We believe every patient is unique, and we approach pancreatic cancer treatment on an individual and personal basis, treating the whole person, not just the cancer. Joining the show to discuss the latest advances in pancreatic cancer is Dr. Christos Fountzilas. He is a board certified medical oncologist in the gastrointestinal medical oncology department at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center with a focus in pancreatic cancer.

While physical therapy (PT) is more commonly thought of in relation to athletics or orthopedics, PT plays an essential part in the recovery from cancer treatment. Prehabilitation (prehab), is any type of rehabilitation before a specific event. At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, this is typically done before surgery or chemotherapy to improve outcomes after procedures. Here to discuss the benefits physical therapy services can provide a cancer patient, is Bryan Wittmeyer, MS, PT. He is the Director, Rehabilitation Therapy and Wellness Services at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

At Roswell Park, more than 70 percent of patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage (Stage I) survive five years. Our Lung Cancer Screening Program is designed to detect lung cancer early — when it is most curable — by screening and monitoring ("surveillance") the people most likely to develop the disease, especially smokers. Here to tell us about the importance of lung cancer screening for early detection of lung cancer is Dr.Mary Reid, she is the Director of Cancer Screening and Survivorship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Breast Care of Western New York uses a range of minimally invasive procedures in the detection and diagnosis of breast health conditions, including mammography and ultrasound biopsies, stereotactic and ultrasound-guided staging tests, and sentinel lymph node biopsy. As a community practice of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, you'll have access to the most advanced services in breast cancer diagnosis, including access to expert pathology review by a world-class team at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this segment, Mariola Poss, MD, FACS, discusses breast care, different types of breast surgery, her role at Breast Care of WNY and the importance of community practices such as Breast Care of Western New York.