More than 110 thousand people will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U-S.
Traditionally, the treatment plan includes surgery, staples and a slow recovery.
Now doctors are using a powerful tool that could make the healing process faster and safer.
It's stronger than steel and was once used to build Russian submarines.
Now the material called Nitinol is helping cancer patients fight their own battles.
"You don't want to believe it's cancer. It's just a bad word. It's a death sentence to me."
Hanelore Shwartz's quiet life turned upside down when the doctor told her she had colon cancer.
"I was never sick a day in my life, believe it or not, and then you're being told you have cancer."
Treatment typically involves stapling the colon back together after removing the tumor, but 1 in 12 - 20 percent of lower colon operations, the sharp staples can lead to leaks, bleeding and infections.
"The staples that are used to connect the bowel especially very low in the pelvis sometimes can cause microperforations or very small holes."
Doctor Daniel Marcus uses this metal ring instead of staples.
Using an applicator, he positions the ring in the colon.
Gradually over the next two weeks, the nitinol springs pull the two parts together.
Then the ring passes through the body.
"It's sort of like the hem of a skirt or a pair of pants. Once that cuts through and the ring passes, the only thing there is the tissue itself."
Doctors used the ring in the more than one-thousand surgeries.
Colon leak rates dropped below two-percent, and compared to staples, patients get their G-I function back sooner -- meaning hospital stays are cut by one to two days.
"I'm a survivor, you know?
Hanelore was back to her daily walks with Max two weeks after surgery.
She's cancer-free and her biggest supporter is by her side celebrating every moment.
The ring can be used for other G-I conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
It's being used in about 60 hospitals across the country.
Traditionally, the treatment plan includes surgery, staples and a slow recovery.
Now doctors are using a powerful tool that could make the healing process faster and safer.
It's stronger than steel and was once used to build Russian submarines.
Now the material called Nitinol is helping cancer patients fight their own battles.
"You don't want to believe it's cancer. It's just a bad word. It's a death sentence to me."
Hanelore Shwartz's quiet life turned upside down when the doctor told her she had colon cancer.
"I was never sick a day in my life, believe it or not, and then you're being told you have cancer."
Treatment typically involves stapling the colon back together after removing the tumor, but 1 in 12 - 20 percent of lower colon operations, the sharp staples can lead to leaks, bleeding and infections.
"The staples that are used to connect the bowel especially very low in the pelvis sometimes can cause microperforations or very small holes."
Doctor Daniel Marcus uses this metal ring instead of staples.
Using an applicator, he positions the ring in the colon.
Gradually over the next two weeks, the nitinol springs pull the two parts together.
Then the ring passes through the body.
"It's sort of like the hem of a skirt or a pair of pants. Once that cuts through and the ring passes, the only thing there is the tissue itself."
Doctors used the ring in the more than one-thousand surgeries.
Colon leak rates dropped below two-percent, and compared to staples, patients get their G-I function back sooner -- meaning hospital stays are cut by one to two days.
"I'm a survivor, you know?
Hanelore was back to her daily walks with Max two weeks after surgery.
She's cancer-free and her biggest supporter is by her side celebrating every moment.
The ring can be used for other G-I conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
It's being used in about 60 hospitals across the country.
