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Article Category: Highlights

Celebrate Cancer Survivors Day with Wellstar

Published on April 19, 2023

Last updated 09:23 AM June 01, 2023

Illustration of boat and ship wheel. Text reads "Survivorship, cruising through together"

Wellstar Health System supports people with cancer throughout their journeys, from early screening to diagnosis to treatment. However, our encouragement and dedication to delivering world-class, compassionate care doesn’t end in remission.

Across our system, Wellstar honors the bravery and strength of survivors every day, rejoicing in each milestone. This National Cancer Survivors Day, we are proud to pay tribute to people who have conquered cancer while offering hope to those still fighting. This year’s Cancer Survivors Day theme, “Cruising Toward Survivorship,” exemplifies Wellstar’s commitment to being a steadfast source of encouragement for cancer survivors and fighters across Georgia.

“Cancer Survivors Day gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect and cherish victories over cancer. It also provides an outpouring of support to people currently fighting cancer, so they know they are never alone,” said Nicole Centers, executive director of the oncology service line & nurse leader at Wellstar.

Several Wellstar facilities will host Survivors Day events — and you can be a part of the celebration.

 

Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
Imaging Center Parking Lot
1625 Hospital North Drive
Austell, GA 30106
Friday, June 2
Noon to 2 p.m.
RSVP by contacting Ashley Dapremont at (470) 732-4523 or [email protected]

 

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
Cancer Center
320 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard
Marietta, GA 30060
Saturday, June 3
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This location is at capacity. Please see the full list of events and RSVP to attend a neighboring Wellstar location or reach out to [email protected] or (470) 793-7436 for additional information.

 

Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
Surgery Center Entrance
8954 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134
Saturday, June 3
Noon to 2 p.m.
RSVP by contacting Diane Harris at (470) 644-6613 or [email protected]

 

Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
Enoch Callaway Cancer Center
111 Medical Drive
LaGrange, GA 30240
Sunday, June 4
1 to 3 p.m.

RSVP by contacting Sarah Hersey at (706) 845-3848 or [email protected]

 

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
Cancer Center Parking Lot and Atrium
144 Bill Carruth Parkway
Hiram, GA 30141
Sunday, June 4
1 to 4 p.m.
RSVP by contacting Mary Hyde at (470) 644-8157 or [email protected]

 

Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
Main Lobby
3000 Hospital Boulevard
Roswell, GA 30076
Sunday, June 4
2 to 4 p.m.

RSVP by contacting Pam Plasket at (770) 410-4556 or [email protected]

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Cobb Medical Center Kennestone Regional Medical Center Douglas Medical Center
West Georgia Medical Center Paulding Medical Center North Fulton Medical Center Cancer Care
Related Articles
Group of people eating

Highlights

Make Colon Health Your Habit

For many people, talking about colon health can be a little uncomfortable. However, medical issues don’t just go away if you ignore them.

Being proactive about your well-being with preventative care can help catch colorectal cancer or another serious condition early, often before it becomes a bigger problem.

Wellstar is committed to keeping your colon healthy with preventative screenings and expert care, so you can continue to live well.

Catch colon cancer early

Early detection is the best prevention, especially when it comes to colon cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer has a survival rate of 91%.

“Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, so it’s very important that everyone gets screened,” said Wellstar Gastroenterologist Dr. Cameron Body. “For an average risk person, screenings should begin at age 45.”

Those with a higher risk or a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening sooner. Partner with your provider to create a personalized screening plan—and stick with it to stay ahead of the disease.

“Recently, colon cancer has been a major trending topic in public discourse, and it has been impacting younger individuals each year. It is important to start colon cancer screening at the age of 45 or sooner if you have a family history of colon cancer,” said Wellstar Gastroenterologist Dr. Shani Clay. “This is a preventable disease, so please speak with your primary care clinician or gastroenterologist to help get you screened. Colonoscopies can help prevent colon cancer, diagnose and help direct early treatment if you are diagnosed.”

The death rate for colon cancer in older adults has been decreasing for the past several decades due to screenings, according to the American Cancer Society. Screenings can identify polyps before they become cancerous and can catch cancer earlier when it is more easily treatable. However, in people under 55, death rates from colon cancer have been increasing by about 1% per year since the mid-2000s.

Why colonoscopies work

During a colonoscopy, a Wellstar gastroenterologist will view the inside of your colon and look for polyps or any other abnormal tissue that could be cancerous. This preventative testing is key to catching colorectal issues at the start.

“A colonoscopy is the gold standard when screening for colon cancer. The procedure itself is not painful, and we make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process,” Dr. Body said. “The goal is to do a high-quality exam with a good prep to find polyps when they’re small and get them removed to minimize the risk of them subsequently developing into cancer.”

Polyps take about five to 15 years to evolve into an invasive cancer, according to Dr. Carmen Klass, oncologist and hematologist with Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, a care partner of Wellstar.

“If you have a colonoscopy every five to 10 years, they can remove the polyp and it will never be declared an invasive cancer,” Dr. Klass said. “In fact, if all Americans did their screening colonoscopies every five to 10 years, the death rate for colorectal cancer would drop by 50%.”

See how colorectal cancer screening saves lives.

Signs of colorectal cancer

  • Colon cancer is typically discovered when a patient has a colonoscopy, but it’s important to watch for these warning signs:
  • A change in your bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation
  • Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
  • Abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas and pain
  • Feeling like you are unable to empty your bowels completely
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your care team right away.

Colorectal cancer care at Wellstar

If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, count on Wellstar for comprehensive, personalized care. Our specialists will work together with you to form a tailored treatment plan and offer support every step of the way.

“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, we walk with them and guide them on this difficult journey,” Dr. Klass said, sharing how Wellstar provides compassionate care.

Wellstar offers medical expertise close to home, clinical trials and state-of-the-art surgical procedures to treat colorectal cancer. We also have a multidisciplinary gastrointestinal (GI) tumor board that diagnoses and creates treatment plans collaboratively.

Along with cancer surgeons, medical oncologists and other experts, our care team also includes nurse navigators, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors to provide complete care and support.

Learn how Wellstar cares for colorectal cancer.

Get answers with genetic testing

Whether you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or are concerned about the chance of developing it, genetic testing can help you understand your risk of getting the disease.

If your parent, sibling or child has had colorectal cancer, you are two to three times more likely to develop the condition compared with someone with no family history. Our genetic counselors can help determine how genetic testing could benefit you and your family.

“Wellstar offers support from genetic counselors to help keep other family members safe in the future,” Dr. Klass said.

Find out if genetic testing is right for you.

Keep reading
Illustration of knee and surgical tools

Highlights

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center Offers New Smart Robotic Orthopedic Surgery

New robotic surgical technology at Wellstar Paulding Medical Center personalizes procedures and makes joint replacement surgery even more precise.

The system uses advanced imaging and data analytics, partnered with the surgeon’s expertise, to tailor care for each patient. Using a 3D model based on a CT scan of the patient’s anatomy, surgeons can plan the implant size, placement and alignment accurately before entering the operating room. During the procedure, the robotic system uses real-time feedback to guide the surgeon’s hand and touch-sensitive boundaries to protect surrounding tissues and bones.

“This robotic technology allows our surgeons to make smaller incisions, improve the implant’s placement and operate more precisely—which all mean a smoother recovery for patients,” said Todd Kennedy, president of Wellstar Paulding. 

The orthopedic surgery team at Wellstar Paulding uses the system in total hip replacements and total and partial knee replacements.

Wellstar Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Sameer Badarudeen, who has a decade of experience in robotic hip and knee replacements, was the first to use the technology at Wellstar Paulding. He said the system allows surgeons to better personalize care for each patient.

“As surgeons, we now have a much deeper understanding of optimal artificial knee placement, moving beyond the older ‘boilerplate knee’ approach that resulted in identical-looking X-rays for all patients,” Dr. Badarudeen said. “It empowers surgeons to thoroughly assess each patient's unique anatomy and then meticulously recreate the artificial knee replacement to be perfectly tailored to that individual's specific anatomy.”

Denise Fortune, whose knee was replaced using the technology, was able to go home the same day as her surgery. She had minimal pain after the procedure and now has increased mobility after several years of knee pain.

Dr. Badarudeen ensured Denise received personalized care and had the support she needed for a smooth recovery.

“I'm feeling great. I'm still going to physical therapy, and they tell me I'm ahead of where I normally would be,” Denise said.

Read more about orthopedic surgery at Wellstar Paulding.

Keep reading
Surgeon using robotic system

Highlights

The Robotic Alliance: Three Specialists, One Purpose

At Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, something unique is happening in the world of minimally invasive surgery. Nestled right here in Roswell, a multidisciplinary team of robotic surgeons has quietly become one of the most experienced collaborative groups in Metro Atlanta—and across the state of Georgia.

The three surgeons—Dr. Scott Miller (robotic urologic surgery), Dr. Nathan Mordel (robotic gynecologic surgery) and Dr. Jay Singh (robotic colorectal surgery)—have collectively performed close to 9,000 robotic procedures over their careers. While that number is impressive, what it represents matters even more: thousands of patients who have benefited from smaller incisions, faster recoveries and precision that simply wasn’t possible a generation ago.

Although each of the specialties typically addresses distinct conditions, the team often cares for patients whose needs overlap two or even all three areas. These are the moments when a truly coordinated approach matters most. Rather than sending patients to multiple locations or staging separate procedures, the surgeons’ combined expertise allows them to tackle complex, concurrent issues together—efficiently, safely and in one place.

Severe (frozen pelvis) endometriosis is a perfect example of the need for a cooperative surgical approach. This condition affects millions of reproductive age women, invading the genital organs, as well as bladder, ureters, colon and rectum, thus deteriorating their quality of life. Concurrent robotic intervention by urological, colorectal and gynecological surgeons simultaneously treats all three organ systems—and on a mostly outpatient basis.

This collaborative model has become a defining strength of robotic surgery at Wellstar North Fulton. When specialists operate side-by-side, the conversation doesn’t just happen in the clinic—it continues in the operating room, where careful planning and shared experience translate into smoother procedures and better outcomes. Patients may not witness the teamwork directly, but they absolutely feel its benefits during their recovery.

Equally important, Wellstar has invested years in refining our techniques with next-generation robotic systems, which offer enhanced visualization, improved dexterity and precise tissue handling. Whether treating prostate conditions, complex colorectal disease or gynecologic disorders, robotics allows us to deliver the best aspects of minimally invasive surgery while maintaininga high level of surgical control.

Roswell may not be the first place people imagine when they think of cutting-edge surgical innovation, but the reality is that our community has become a hub for it. With a concentrated depth of experience rarely found in a single hospital, Wellstar North Fulton is leading the way in advanced robotic procedures across Georgia.

For us, the mission is simple: three specialties, one purpose—to give every patient access to the highest level of surgical care, in their neighborhood.

Visit wellstar.org/northfulton to learn more about care at Wellstar North Fulton. Call (470) 956-4230 to schedule with Dr. Miller, (470) 956-4590 to schedule with Dr. Mordel and (470) 267-1930 to schedule with Dr. Singh.

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