GastroIntestinal Healthcare to Sponsor 2012 Raleigh Get Your Rear in Gear 5K Run/Walk Event

RALEIGH, NC, February 23, 2012

GastroIntestinal Healthcare will serve as a Bronze Sponsor of this year's 4th Annual Get Your Rear in Gear - Raleigh 5K Race. Get Your Rear in Gear is a multi-city event designed to promote colon cancer awareness and provide support for those affected by the disease. The 5K timed walk/run will be held at Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh on Saturday, March 3rd and will begin at 9:00 a.m. In addition to its sponsorship, GastroIntestinal Healthcare is also forming a team made up of practice members, patients, and friends and family members. This marks the practice's fourth consecutive year of supporting this event.

According to the American Cancer Society, excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The society's most recent estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States for 2012 are 103,170 new cases of colon cancer and 40,290 new cases of rectal cancer. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 (5.1%), with the risk being slightly lower for women than men. Dr. Boris Cvetkovski, co-owner of GastroIntestinal Healthcare, explains that in most people, colorectal cancers develop slowly and over several years. He says that the time to get a screening is before a problem is suspected.

"Regular colon screenings are the best way to prevent colorectal cancer," says Dr. Cvetkovski. "It may take up to 10 years for polyps to develop into colorectal cancer. In many cases, screenings can prevent colorectal cancer altogether by detecting polyps before they turn into cancer. Also, annual screenings can detect colorectal cancer at its earliest stage, when it's highly curable."

Dr. Cvetkovski adds that because colorectal cancer doesn't discriminate, it's important to understand the risk factors involved and for individuals to talk with their physicians to determine which tests are right for them.

"GastroIntestinal Healthcare usually recommends beginning regular colon screenings at age 50 if there are no identified risk factors," says Dr. Cvetkovski. "Those with a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps should talk with their doctor and consider earlier and possibly more frequent screenings. The most important thing to remember is that over 75 percent of colon cancers happen to individuals with absolutely no known risk factors, making regular screenings even more vital."

In addition to screenings, individuals looking to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer should eat a diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, avoid tobacco products, consume alcohol in moderation, and engage in moderate exercise for at least 20 minutes three to four times a week.

To learn more about Get Your Rear in Gear, visit http://www.getyourrearingear.com or call the Colon Cancer Coalition at (952) 426-6521.

About GastroIntestinal Healthcare
GastroIntestinal Healthcare is dedicated to "improving your health from the inside out". The practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract—the esophagus, stomach, colon, small and large bowel, gallbladder, and liver—and is conveniently located in North Raleigh, just off of I540. GastroIntestinal Healthcare has its own onsite licensed endoscopy center and is accredited and fully certified by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Medicare), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina. For more information, call (919) 870-1311 or visit http://www.gihealthcare.net.

Media Contact:
Louise Cottrell
FireBrand Marketing, Inc.
louisec@firebrandmarketing.com
(919) 848-1025