Gastroenterology
Recent expansions in the UMA Gastroenterology practice and a new $3 million
Gastroenterology Laboratory at Binghamton General Hospital have greatly enhanced
the services available in the community. Gastroenterologists ensure the health
of the body’s digestive system by specializing in diseases of the colon,
stomach, esophagus, liver and pancreas.
Among the most important benefits of the expansion is greater access and ease in
scheduling colonoscopies, one of the best ways to diagnose colon cancer. Colon
cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but is
one of the easiest cancers to diagnose and cure if detected early. It is also
preventable when pre-cancerous polyps are removed on a timely basis.
“The new lab, which more than doubled our screening capacity, allows us to meet
the growing demand for colonoscopies and other procedures in a state-of-the-art
facility,” said Mark Shumeyko, M.D., lead physician of UMA Gastroenterology and
Director of Gastroenterology for United Health Services Hospitals. The
Gastroenterology team, which includes Mark Shumeyko, M.D., Gregory Scagnelli,
M.D., Leslie Bank, M.D., Ali Marhaba, M.D., and Donald Calebaugh, M.D., each
perform 150-200 endoscopy procedures a month, and colonoscopies are among the
most important.
Screening for colon cancer should be a part of routine care for all adults
starting at age 50 — earlier for those with a family history of colon cancer or
symptoms of bowel habit changes. Patients with a family history should be
screened at age 40
or 10 years earlier than the age at which their relative developed colon cancer
During a colonoscopy, a procedure which generally takes less than an hour,
doctors can detect large polyps and cancers as well as most small polyps that
could develop into cancer. Doctors can also remove small polyps or take tissue
samples for closer analysis, when indicated.
Leslie Bank, M.D., said there are other ways to screen for colon cancer,
including fecal occult tests that detect blood in the stool, sigmoidoscopy and
barium enema x-rays. “While these are valuable tests in certain circumstances,
they are not as reliable or sensitive as a colonoscopy for early detection of
colon cancer and polyps,” said Dr. Bank.
Nearly 16,000 patients are expected to be screened locally each year. Even then,
there are many more who should be getting colon screenings, said Dr. Shumeyko.
“The incidence of colorectal cancer in Broome County for men and women continues
to be above national averages,” he said. “There are more than 61,000 people
eligible to be screened for colon cancer in our service area, while less than a
fourth of that are being screened annually.”
UMA Gastroenterology
40 Mitchell Ave.
607.772.0639
