TOPIC: Colorectal Cancer

57,000 Americans will die this year from colon cancer. Together, with increased awareness and prevention, we can bring that figure down. On the next Health Link we'll take a look at this disease - from what puts us at risk, to the screenings that could save our lives.


John A. Ferraro, MD
Dr. Ferraro is President of New York Oncology Hematology, PC and practices with the Capital District Hematology Oncology Association in Latham.

Samuel Feldman, MD
Dr. Feldman is Chief of Surgery at St. Peter's Hospital, and is on staff at Albany Memorial Hospital, Albany Medical Center, The Seton Health System, and Samaritan Hospital. He also serves on the Board of St. Peter's Endoscopy and Surgery Center. He has been part of a successful private practice (Capital District Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates, PC) since 1980.

Edward Orris, MD
Dr. Orris is a gastroenterologist in practice at Albany Gastroenterology. Dr. Orris graduated from Tufts University, and received his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical School. He completed his internal medicine internship/residency at Tufts New England Medical Center and Boston Veterans Administration Hospital. Dr. Orris completed his gastroenterology fellowship at New England Medical Center, Tufts University.

Judith A. Siler, MS, CDE, CDN
Judith Siler is a registered dietician at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany.

Molly McMaster
Molly McMaster is a colon cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer on her twenty-third birthday, February 19th, 1999. Since then, Molly has committed herself to raising awareness of the disease that could have killed her, through efforts such as Rolling to Recovery and The Colossal Colon. Molly has been able to tell her story in such publications as Parade Magazine, American Hockey Magazine and SELF Magazine, has been featured in Dave Barry's column as well as on The Today Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! She is also currently writing a book about her experience and sits on the Board of Directors for the Colon Cancer Alliance. She speaks regularly on the subject of colorectal cancer and remains an advocate because she connects to so many different people. She hopes to be able to use that connection to teach people about this highly preventable disease.