While women may find this topic embarrassing to discuss, it’s important to address.

Your urinary system — made up of your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — does several jobs. These include filtering, storing and removing waste from your body. However, millions of women experience urinary incontinence.

Gallbladder Surgery

According to Dr. Fatchikova, gallbladder surgery is one of the most common, and is done to treat patients who have gallstones that are causing pain. Often an elective procedure, it’s usually done on an outpatient basis using laparoscopy, a minimally invasive technique. “If you’re having recurrent symptoms – pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting – you should come in to be evaluated. Acute cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder is a more challenging condition with added risk for complications,” he says.

Appendectomy

Appendicitis occurs if your appendix becomes inflamed or infected and requires immediate treatment. Almost all appendix surgeries are performed laparoscopically.

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Colonoscopies

More than 130,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020 — and that’s just in the United States. That’s a lot of people. What may surprise you even further is that colorectal cancer is actually preventable.

“You can’t prevent breast, lung or brain cancer in the same way,” says Dr. Christiansen. “You can’t take precancerous polyps off any of those organs like you can with the large intestine.”

Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells that line the colon or the rectum become abnormal and grow out of control and polyps develop. Because symptoms often do not appear until the cancer is advanced, it is important to have regular colorectal cancer screenings (colonoscopies).

“A colonoscopy can save your life. If done early, it is the only screening that can prevent colon cancer,” says Dr. Christiansen. “As of 2021, it is recommended that adults have their first colonoscopy at age 45, because the majority of colorectal polyps occur after this age. But those with a family history of colon cancer, or those who experience symptoms such as pain, bleeding or a change in bowel habits, should begin having them earlier.”

Many people put off the procedure because they are anxious about the bowel prep required prior to a colonoscopy or worry about discomfort during the procedure. However, bowel preps have become easier and most patients are very comfortable and most have no recollection of the procedure.

General surgeons perform colonoscopies and also remove polyps discovered during the procedure. “Simple stool tests can help detect colon cancer, but they can’t remove it if something is found. There is no better option these days than colonoscopy,” says Dr. Christiansen.

Part of the reason I chose to practice at Mercy is the ability it gives me to help the patients in my community.

Teodora Fatchikova, MD

Don’t ignore the symptoms

Even minor symptoms that you only notice once can be the sign of something serious. If a simple visit to the bathroom has you seeing red, don’t ignore it.

“Blood in the urine — whether it’s slightly pink, brown or bright red — is a signal that something is wrong,” says Jayram Krishnan, DO, MBA, a urological surgeon at Medina Medical Office Building. “It’s important to find and treat the root cause of the discoloration.”

Though blood in the urine most often comes from a benign condition like kidney stones, enlarged prostate or a urinary tract infection, it also can signal bladder or kidney cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and is silent in its early stages. For most, the cancer grows very slowly. Dr. Krishnan says you can live with early prostate cancer for years without developing symptoms. Symptoms — such as trouble urinating or feeling like you always need to urinate, particularly at night — start later.

While not as common, testicular cancer also is one of the top cancers in men. The earlier you get care, the better. Testicular cancer is curable in 95% of cases — 98% if treated early.

Gallbladder Surgery

According to Dr. Fatchikova, gallbladder surgery is one of the most common, and is done to treat patients who have gallstones that are causing pain. Often an elective procedure, it’s usually done on an outpatient basis using laparoscopy, a minimally invasive technique. “If you’re having recurrent symptoms – pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting – you should come in to be evaluated. Acute cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder is a more challenging condition with added risk for complications,” she says.

Abigail Christiansen, MD

Hernia Repair

When an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue, a hernia is formed. Depending on the size and complexity, surgical repair of groin, umbilical and other abdominal wall hernias can be done using minimally invasive or traditional open surgery techniques.

“While some hernias don’t cause symptoms and no treatment is needed, some patients avoid treating their hernias because they fear painful surgery,” says Abigail Christiansen, MD, a general surgeon at Mercy Hospital. “Today hernia surgery is often performed robotically on an outpatient basis with a minimal recovery period.”

Colonoscopies

More than 130,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020 — and that’s just in the United States. That’s a lot of people. What may surprise you even further is that colorectal cancer is actually preventable.

“With regular colorectal cancer screenings, we can find and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer,” says Dr. Christiansen.

Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells that line the colon or the rectum become abnormal and grow out of control and polyps develop. Because symptoms often do not appear until the cancer is advanced, it is important to have regular colorectal cancer screenings (colonoscopies).

“A colonoscopy can save your life. If done early, it is the only screening that can prevent colon cancer,” says Dr. Christiansen. "Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in the number of colon cancers presenting at a younger age. And in fact, it is now recommended that adults have their first colonoscopy at age 45 because the majority of colorectal polyps occur around this age. Those with a family history of colon cancer or those who experience symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or a change in bowel habits may begin having them even earlier.”

Many people put off the procedure because they are anxious about the bowel prep required prior to a colonoscopy or worry about discomfort during the procedure. However, bowel preps have become easier and most patients are very comfortable and most have no recollection of the procedure.

General surgeons perform colonoscopies and also remove polyps discovered during the procedure. “Simple stool tests can help detect colon cancer, but they can’t remove it if something is found. For many patients, there is no better option than a colonoscopy,” says Dr. Christiansen.

Michael Tempel, MD

Colorectal Cancer Surgery

“Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor on the lining of the large intestine”, says Michael Tempel, MD, a general surgeon at Mercy Hospital, who specializes in colorectal cancer. It’s one of the leading “causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. But it’s also highly treatable and curable when doctors find it early.”

Colorectal cancer is treated based on the stage of the cancer. Treatment options can include the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation with surgery to remove the cancer cells being the most common treatment for colon cancer.

“While there are a few different surgical options based on your specific needs, removal (resection) of a portion or all of the colon and/or rectum is the main treatment for colon and rectal cancer,” says Dr. Tempel. Most of the surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer are focused on preserving the function. Mercy surgeons offer minimally invasive (laparoscopic) or robotic procedures, which typically means less pain and a quicker recovery for patients.

Don’t put off routine healthcare.

Whatever the concern or diagnosis, Cleveland Clinic providers urge everyone to be proactive when it comes to their health.

Preventive screenings – including colonoscopies and mammograms – are often the start of long-term relationships between patients and providers.

Colonoscopy — A colonoscopy is the only screening that can prevent cancer. A painless, outpatient procedure, colonoscopy can be performed by general surgeons. It is recommended that adults have their first colonoscopy at age 45. Those with a family history of colon cancer, or those who experience symptoms such as pain, bleeding or a change in bowel habits, should begin having them earlier.
Mammography — Cleveland Clinic’s screening guidelines include:

All women should review their specific risk factors for breast cancer with their providers and together decide when to start and how often to screen for breast cancer.
All women should have the opportunity to start screening mammography at age 40.
For women ages 45-55, Cleveland Clinic recommends annual screening mammograms.
For women ages 55 and over, Cleveland Clinic supports both the transition from an annual to a biennial interval if this aligns more with patient’s values and preferences, or continuation with annual screening.
All women should discuss with their providers when to stop screening mammograms.

“Over the past year, people have been putting off necessary screenings or avoiding going to the doctor with early symptoms of gallbladder disease, appendicitis, hernia and other diseases. Unfortunately, those delays have led to us seeing more advanced and difficult cases,” says Dr. Peabody. “It’s time for everyone to take their healthcare into their own hands and start doing the routine things that are going to make a positive difference in the long run.”

Cleveland Clinic has taken every precaution to ensure the safety of our patients, providers and employees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation

Address:
18101 Lorain Ave
Cleveland, OH 44111

Hours:
Open 24 hours

Phone:
(216) 476-7000

Emergency room:
Open 24 hours

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation

Address:
18101 Lorain Ave
Cleveland, OH 44111

Hours:
Open 24 hours

Phone:
(216) 476-7000

Emergency room:
Open 24 hours

Find a Surgeon at Mercy Hospital

Learn More About the Mercy Hospital Surgery Center

Find Helpful Guides for Hernia, Colonoscopies, Colon & Rectal Cancer and More

Cleveland Clinic locations in southern Cuyahoga County, Medina and Wayne counties offer comprehensive surgical services provided by highly-skilled surgeons who specialize in inpatient and outpatient procedures.

To schedule an appointment with a Cleveland Clinic surgeon, call:

Brunswick: 330.225.8886
Medina: 330.721.5700
Strongsville: 440.878.2500
Wooster: 330.287.4500

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From traditional surgery procedures to advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, trust Mercy Hospital for all your surgical needs.

While women may find this topic embarrassing to discuss, it’s important to address.

Teodora Fatchikova, MD

General Surgery

Gallbladder Surgery

Appendectomy

Gallbladder Surgery

Appendectomy

Gallbladder Surgery

Appendectomy

Colonoscopies

Don’t ignore the symptoms

Gallbladder Surgery

Abigail Christiansen, MD

Hernia Repair

Colonoscopies

Michael Tempel, MD

Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Michael Gangel, Jr., MD

Jayram Krishnan, DO, MBA

John Wegryn, MD

Don’t put off routine healthcare.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation