GI clinic gives free colonoscopies to the needy
October 23rd, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Forty-eight people who are out of work or without health insurance received free colonoscopy screenings at a Knoxville, Tenn., gastrointestinal clinic over the weekend. Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) planned the event, called GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day to help those less fortunate and to make everyone aware of the need for colon screenings.
Patients were referred to GIA by the InterFaith Health Clinic and The Free Medical Clinic of America, both Knoxville-based organizations that provide health care to the needy. More than half of the people screened had polyps removed. Of the 48 persons screened Saturday, a total of 25 had polyps removed and sent for testing, 16 women and nine men. Twenty-three had no polyps, 15 women and eight men. Polyps, which are typically benign, may contain a small area of cancer or develop into cancer if not removed.
Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer. “This is a higher percentage than in the population as a whole,” said Dr. Bergein F. (Gene) Overholt of GIA. “This is a big step in the battle against colon cancer. It was a real privilege to serve this group of people.”
Overholt called on other U.S. gastrointestinal practices to replicate “GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day” to help those less fortunate and to make everyone aware of the need for colon screenings. “The national health care debate has focused attention on the role of physicians and other health care professionals,” he said. “I think this can be a great demonstration of the concern medical professionals have for the well-being of their patients.”
Other screening sponsors include Anesthesia Associates of Knoxville, Mercy Health Partners, Premier Surgical Associates, The Endoscopy Center, GI Pathology of Memphis, Boston Scientific, Interactive Optics, the American Cancer Society and Braintree Laboratories Inc.