Colon Cancer Symposium Set for Sunday

Medical practitioners will benefit from training in colon cancer treatment and prevention at the 2013 Colon Cancer Medical Symposium on Sunday, March 10.

The session will take place at the Basic Medical Sciences Building in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus, and will get underway at 8:30 a.m.

It is being organised by the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and its stakeholders, and targets doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical students and other persons in the medical fraternity.

In an interview with JIS News, Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist, Dr. Mike Mills, noted that the event, now in its fourth year, forms part of activities to mark Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March. It is also in keeping with the JCS’ cancer education and awareness campaign.

Dr. Mills said the symposium will include a comprehensive and informative package that will increase the knowledge base of medical practitioners, thereby enhancing their ability to better assist their patients that are affected by colon or colorectal cancers.

“This symposium (will) highlight the risk factors for colon cancer, the treatment for colon cancer and how to prevent colon cancer,” Dr. Mills stated, noting that current trends in treatment and prevention will be explored in detail.

There will also be presentations by various practitioners in the field. The topic of ‘Colon Cancer Locally in 2013 – Forward, Backward or Standing Still,’ will be examined by Dr. Tracey Gibbon; ‘Screening – What’s Best in 2013?’ by Professor Michael Lee; ‘Colon Cancer in Latin America- How Do we Compare’ by Dr, Herbert Burgos; ‘Nutrition in Individuals with Cancer’ by Professor Marvin Reid; ‘Colon Cancer before Age 50’ by Dr. Joseph Plummer; ‘So it’s Out, Now What?’ by Dr. Herbert Burgos; and, ‘Surgery and Chemotherapy- What Hope Exists?’ by Dr. Patrick Roberts.

Doctors attending the conference are required to pay a fee of $2,000; nurses, $1,000 and students with identification will enter free of cost.

Dr. Mills said continuing medical education (CME) credits will be awarded, where applicable, to medical practitioners, who attend the symposium.