Several people in my family had polyps that
were discovered during screening. Thankfully
they're fine. It showed me how important it is to start screening at age 50.
Lee Batton
Colon Cancer Champion
So much has been achieved in terms of diagnosing
and treating colon cancer but there is
so much more to be done.
Peggy Baxter
Colon Cancer Advocate
Colon cancer affects men and women equally. If everyone age 50 and older had regular screening
tests, at least 60% of colon cancer deaths could be avoided.
Dr. Frank Berger
Director, Center for Colon Cancer Research
University of South Carolina
You shouldn't be embarrassed about this. Screening and early detection can prevent
colon cancer. Your life is too important to be embarrassed about it.
Bhavna Vasudeva
Colon Cancer Champion
Starting at age 50, it's essential to have the blessing of being tested. And I want to let others know there
is life after cancer.
Reverend Joe Darby
Colon Cancer Survivor
Colon cancer truly is preventable
so we need everyone to get screened starting at age 50.
Dr. Richard Greer
Gastroenterologist
Starting at age 50, screening for colon cancer is one of the most
common sense things any of us can do.
Senator Hugh and Jean Leatherman
Colon Cancer Champions
Excellence in Gastrointestinal Healthcare Since 1989
We are Board Certified Gastroenterologists providing exceptional care in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of digestive system diseases. We are the only Lakeland’s area licensed and accredited Gl outpatient facility. The Greenwood Endoscopy Center offers a safe, comfortable, easily accessible environment for Colonoscopy and Upper Endoscopy at about one-fourth the cost of a traditional hospital outpatient setting. Over 11,000 procedures performed last year! We believe our community and surrounding areas deserve the best – make sure you ask your physician for a referral to Digestive Disease Group for your screening or diagnostic colonoscopy, upper endoscopy or other Gl related care!
If you’re over 50, get screened for colorectal cancer
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. But if everyone aged 50 years or older had regular screening tests, at least 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Both men and women are at risk for colorectal cancer.
In The News ...
Hemorrhoid Treatment with the CRH O'Regan System
Digestive Disease Group is now offering the CRH O’Regan System®. A simple, painless and effective way to treat hemorrhoids!
Hemorrhoids are nothing to be embarrassed about – in fact, about 50% of the population will suffer from them by the age of 50.
For many, ointments and creams will only mask symptoms to provide temporary relief. They do not address the root of the problem that is causing the pain, itching, bleeding, and overall discomfort.
If you’re serious about getting rid of hemorrhoids once and for all, it’s time to consider a definitive treatment.
The CRH O’Regan System®
The CRH O’Regan System® offers patients a painless, proven effective solution to the problems associated with hemorrhoids through a unique take on a procedure called hemorrhoid banding, or rubber band ligation.
Much less invasive than a surgical hemorrhoidectomy, hemorrhoid banding with the CRH O’Regan System®, is a simple treatment that can be performed in just minutes with little to no discomfort. There isn’t any prep or sedation and most patients are even able to return to work the same day.
How it Works
Gentle suction is used to place a small rubber band at the base of the hemorrhoid in an area where there aren’t any nerve endings. This only takes about 60 seconds. After a few days, the hemorrhoid will begin to shrink and fall off – you probably won’t even notice when it does!
Watch a video to learn more about the CRH O’Regan System®
To read more about how the CRH O’Regan System® can take care of your hemorrhoids once and for all, visit their website at www.crhsystem.com or call our office today to schedule an appointment and get back to living a more comfortable life!
Spring 2018 South Carolina Gastroenterology Association Newsletter
South Carolina Medical Association Physician in the Spotlight
Posted on March 29, 2018
Meet Bryan T. Green, M.D., a Gastroenterologist dedicated to his patients, an advocate for colon cancer prevention and a passionate land conservationist.
Dr. Green. is a southeastern native who grew up in Milton, Florida. He received his B.S. in Biology from Mercer University, summa cum laude, and graduated from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine as Alpha Omega Alpha.
After completing his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of South Alabama, Dr. Green completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Duke University. He published more than 25 peer-reviewed articles and presented his research at more than 10 national meetings during his medical training. After graduation, he joined Digestive Diseases Group in Greenwood, South Carolina in 2004, where he currently works with an active Gastroenterology practice.
Dr. Green serves his community through numerous board leadership roles, including two terms on the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Greenwood School District 52 parents’ advisory board. He is a passionate land conservationist who has personally preserved more than 1,400 acres of endangered land along rivers in South Carolina through conservation easements. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Upper Savannah Land Trust to further support land conservation efforts.
Dr. Green is the current President of the South Carolina Gastroenterology Association (SCGA) and spearheads a variety of activities within the organization. He promotes the Colon Cancer Prevention Network, a partnership between the University of South Carolina’s Center for Colon Cancer Research and a number of SCGA member physicians that have agreed to perform free screening colonoscopies to underinsured patients throughout the state. More than 1,000 patients have received this service. He will present this research at the Southeastern Colorectal Cancer consortium this summer, and has strengthened the ties between the SCGA and the MUSC Digestive Disease Center. Dr. Green volunteers as the SCMA Doctor of the Day at the South Carolina Statehouse each March, in honor of Colon Cancer Awareness month.
Dr. Green travels to Washington DC each March to participate in the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) Legislative Weekend to advocate for funding for colon cancer treatment and prevention with Congress. The DDNC is an advocacy organization comprised of the major national voluntary and professional societies concerned with digestive diseases, and focuses on improving public policy and increasing public awareness with respect to diseases of the digestive system. Dr. Green is part of a team comprised of a physician, nurse, and patients that meet with Congressmen or their staff to promote funding for digestive health. He also has been active on the Colorectal Cancer Advisory Committee of the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.
Hoping for increased coverage for colonoscopy screenings for Medicare beneficiaries
Posted on March 21, 2018
Dr. Bryan T. Green of Digestive Disease Group, PA went to Washington, D.C. again this year on March 4th and 5th to meet with several senators and congressman to advocate for eliminating the “polyp penalty” for Medicare beneficiaries. This “penalty” occurs when a polyp is detected and removed during a Medicare screening colonoscopy and results in the patient having a cost share for the procedure rather than having it fully covered as a screening exam. He also advocated to reduce “step edits” that health insurers use to require patients to try and fail several less effective medications before they will cover the more expensive, but also more effective medication.
Dr. Green is the current President of the South Carolina Gastroenterology Association that represents over 100 gastroenterology physicians in the state. The trip was part of the public policy forum for the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) which is a national advocacy organization for patients with digestive illnesses. In conjunction with its member organizations, DDNC seeks to raise awareness of digestive diseases in Congress and in the media. There are over 40 organizations within the DDNC including the American Gastroenterology Association, Celiac Disease Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Colon Cancer Alliance, and a number of state gastroenterology associations along with many others.
Dr. Green had appointments at the offices of Senators Kyle Christian of Kansas and Kamala Harris of California and Senator Lyndsey Graham of South Carolina. He also met with Congressman Kevin Yoder and visited the offices of Representatives Jeff Duncan and James Clyburn of South Carolina.
March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and one of the most preventable as it begins as a single polyp that if identified during colonoscopy, can be removed before it ever becomes cancerous. Due to increased screening, the United States has been one of the first countries in the world to actually show a decreased incidence of colon cancer. If all eligible individuals followed current screening recommendations, it is felt that over 70% of colon cancers could be prevented.
Quality Colorectal Cancer Screening: Endoscopic Performance Measures and Beyond
