The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) is a society of board-certified surgeons with specialties in lower gastrointestinal disorders. It is “a professional medical society that represents 3,500 physicians and other healthcare providers interested in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery.”
Their colorectal specialists are responsible for a large portion of research in the field. They contribute to advancements in colorectal surgery, diagnosis, and testing. And they provide education to both students and patients.
On their website, you can find an in-depth encyclopedia that provides overviews of hundreds of conditions and diseases such as colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s and much more. They also provide a directory of colorectal surgeons around the world, a number of success stories, a patient education library, hereditary cancer registries, treatment and screening information, etc.
Recommended Colorectal Resources & Organizations
In addition to offering a wealth of information for patients, the ASCRS also provides a long list of verified organizations with trustworthy information. Let’s look at some of their recommended resources for educating colorectal patients:
American Cancer Society: The ACS is one of the oldest voluntary health organizations dedicated to eliminating cancer. It is no surprise that the ASCRS works closely with them, and recommends them as a possible source of information regarding cancer treatment and information.
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America: The CCFA is another non-profit, volunteer organization. It specializes in dealing with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are strongly related to colorectal cancer, and the ASCRS recommends them as a helpful resource for patients.
- National Cancer Institute: The NCI is the federal government’s main agency for cancer research, education, and training. They are responsible for the dissemination of valuable health information regarding the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
- National Institutes of Health: The NIH is the primary medical research agency of the United States government under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Cancer Institute is officially run under the NIH, and it is responsible for many discoveries that have helped Americans and global citizens lead longer and healthier lives.
Colorectal Patient Resource Library
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons provides a patient resource library that exists for the sole purpose of educating patients or loved ones about conditions and treatments related to colorectal diseases.
This online library contains many short informative videos on topics ranging from abscesses to ulcerative colitis. It also contains interviews and testimonials with patients and physicians alike.
Hereditary Registries
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons also provides links to many colorectal cancer registries around the world. These organizations are responsible for collecting data and intelligence about cancer and tumors including demographics, personal history, and hereditary information. A patient joins these registries and provides the pertinent information in order to help researchers study the subject and get closer to a cure.
Find A Colorectal Surgeon
One of the most helpful resources provided by the ASCRS is the find a surgeon tool. You need only enter location data, and the website will inform you of all the board-certified surgeons near you and provide you with their business information and website. The ASCRS provides patients with the most up-to-date information about any given colorectal specialist.