Special to The T&D

Madlyn Frazier and Melissa Bonnett share many things. They're sisters, best friends, and they both have colon cancer.

This Christmas, it was staff of the Regional Medical Center's Pre-admitting, Same-Day Surgery and Endoscopy Department that chose to share with them. During this difficult time in the sisters' lives, instead of exchanging gifts among themselves, the RMC team bought presents for Madlyn, Melissa, and Melissa's 7-year-old son Montrell and 4-year-old daughter Me'Kayla.

And, in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others, the sisters decided to share their story.

Madlyn, 24, was diagnosed with colon cancer in November 2006. She had to have surgery and recently completed a regimen of chemotherapy.

She said it is important to heed the warning signs and symptoms that can accompany colon cancer and stressed the need for early colonoscopy -- especially if there is a family history of colon cancer.

Madlyn recently celebrated her birthday and commented on how special a day it was.

"It was such a blessing to be home," she said. "I spent the past three birthdays in the hospital."

Last year, the sisters' bond grew even stronger when 30-year-old Melissa was diagnosed with colon cancer. Having suffered similar symptoms as her younger sister, which included severe stomach pain and weight loss, Melissa feared the worst and sought help.

On Aug. 27, 2007, Melissa had emergency surgery and has since been receiving chemotherapy. Her regimen will continue for several months, and she anticipates having more surgery once chemotherapy is completed.

The sisters said they have a family history of colon cancer. Their mother was 48 years old when she died of it, and their maternal grandfather also suffered from the disease and had multiple surgeries, including a colostomy. He was in his 70s when he died.

Because there is such a strong family history of the disease, Melissa said her children will need to be assessed at a much earlier age, probably very soon.

"It is really important to get screened early; please don't wait until you are in so much pain like I did," Madlyn said. "I let it get to the point that I could not even keep water down."

Madlyn said her journey with colon cancer has been painful and difficult, but she credits her sister for helping her each day.

"Melissa has always been here for me; she has helped raise me -- like a mom," she said. "A lot of her is in me."

Melissa likened her sister to an angel.

"Madlyn has made it easier for me by always explaining what to expect from this disease," Melissa said. "She makes me smile every day and reminds me how important life is. She is like an angel; I have seen how much pain she has gone through, but she always has a smile.

"Madlyn asked me if I thought that there is an angel around us watching over us, and I told her, yes, and that she is that angel."

Early screening is essential

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, accounting for 10 percent of all cancer deaths. Individuals who have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps are particularly at risk for developing the disease.

Orangeburg surgeon Dr. Michael Hill, who serves as the Regional Medical Center's cancer liaison physician, said colon polyps are mushroom-shaped abnormal growths that outline the large intestine.

"Colon cancer typically develops from precancerous polyps in the colon," he said. "Colon polyps are one of the most common conditions affecting the colon and rectum, occurring in approximately 15 to 20 percent of adults."

Most ordinary polyps occur between the ages of 40 and 60, Hill said, adding that there may be only one or two present, and it may take 10 years or more to become cancerous. And there is a hereditary link.

Hereditary familial polyposis, Hill said, is a true hereditary condition in which the entire colon is studded with hundreds, even thousands of polyps. They begin early, even in children under 10 years of age. He said virtually every patient with this condition will eventually develop colon cancer, and the only known preventive treatment is surgical removal of the colon.

"Most polyps produce no symptoms and often are found incidentally when doing a colonoscopy or x-ray of the colon," Hill said. "Some polyps, however, can produce bleeding mucous discharge, alteration in bowel function or in rare cases abdominal pain."

He said total removal of all polyps is advised to prevent cancer development.

"The majority of polyps can be removed with a wire loop, and small polyps can be destroyed just by touching them with an electrical current," Hill said. "Removing large polyps, however, may require surgery.

"If surgery is required, there are usually two options. In the past, the patient underwent traditional open surgery for colon cancer or polyps. Now, a second option is available -- minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic surgery. During traditional open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision up to 12 inches long to view the colon and surgically remove specific areas. Because of the nature of this highly invasive procedure, patients face a long and difficult healing process that results in a hospital stay of at least one week with recovery time ranging from six to eight weeks."

However, he said with minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery, small incisions are used, and a video camera is placed in the abdomen in order to visualize the colon and remove the diseased portion. Minimally invasive surgery has been shown to be as effective as open surgery while offering many benefits such as quicker recovery time, shorter hospital stays, less pain and less scarring, Hill said.

"Early screening is the best way to prevent colon polyps from becoming cancerous," he said. "Anyone over the age of 50 should have a screening colonoscopy, and if the test is negative, another evaluation is not needed for 10 years. If you have a family history or hereditary condition predisposing you to develop colon cancer, then you may need to have a colonoscopy at a much earlier age.

"It is so important to increase our community's awareness of the disease and emphasize the impact early detection has on this disease."

Approximately 150 colonoscopy procedures are performed each month at the Regional Medical Center's Same-Day Surgery Department. If you have symptoms or a family history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor and request a screening colonoscopy.

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