Patient stories

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives

Judy Ehlenfeldt, quality management coordinator at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, never expected to be known as the “colonoscopy woman,” but she earned this unofficial title with her enthusiastic support for colorectal cancer screening.

“I probably save more lives now than when I was a cardiovascular intensive care unit nurse,” Ehlenfeldt jokes.

Ninety percent of colorectal cancer can be prevented by proper screening, researchers say, and it is recommended that all adults 50 and over should be screened.

Ehlenfeldt knew these statistics, but it took her three years after she turned 50 to schedule a colonoscopy with Dr. Franklin Loo, a gastroenterologist at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Dr. Loo found a small cancerous polyp that had spread into her intestinal wall. Ehlenfeldt needed a bowel resection, which means removing a piece of the intestine. Fortunately, she did not need chemotherapy or radiation.

Now, she has a yearly colonoscopy date with Dr. Loo.

“It’s a relief to hear him say ‘You’re fine,’ ” she says, after the procedure is finished.

For Ehlenfeldt, learning she had cancer was a shock. She did not have any symptoms and ate plenty of fruit and vegetables.

"I did everything right, and I still got cancer,” she says. “I want everyone to know how important it is to have a colonoscopy.”

Ehlenfeldt has spoken about the need for screenings publicly. She reminds friends and family about the need for the screening in her Christmas letter, and she approaches colleagues at work.

“We have a couple of new people in my department,” Ehlenfeldt says. “Once I get to know them I ask ‘Have you had your colonoscopy yet?’ ”

She knows this simple procedure, a colonoscopy, can make all the difference and save lives.

How can I learn more?

• Talk to your doctor about whether it's time for your screening. Need to a find a doctor?
• About colorectal cancer
• Colorectal cancer treatment program
• Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic Hotline, (800) 252-2990