NAFC Executive Director To Appear As Expert on PBS Episode on Fecal Incontinence

December 13, 2010 (CHARLESTON, SC)—Nancy Muller, PhD, executive director of the National Association For Continence (NAFC) appeared, as an expert panelist, on a television episode of Second Opinion, about fecal incontinence.

Produced by WXXI Public Broadcasting in Rochester, New York, West 175 Productions and the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. Second Opinion is a medical television show where experts discuss real-life medical cases. Since its premier in 2004, Second Opinion has been viewed on over 285 public television stations nationwide and is funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A webisode related to the fecal incontinence episode can be viewed now on Second Opinion’s website. The program was distributed at the end of November to over 250 PBS stations across the U.S. The WXXI broadcast in Rochester is scheduled on December 18 at 3 p.m. Please check with your local public broadcasting channel to find out when the full episode will be aired in your area.

Peter Salgo, MD, is the host of Second Opinion. He is a practicing physician at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and a professor of medicine and anesthesiology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Louis J. Papa, MD, FACP, primary care physician at the Olsan Medical Group of Rochester New York, Tracy L. Hull, MD, director of the pelvic floor unit in the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Jenny Speranza, MD, director of The Colorectal Physiology Center at the University of Rochester Medical center, and a patient of the Cleveland Clinic joined Muller as the expert panelists for the fecal incontinence episode.

Fecal incontinence is the loss of bowel control. It can range from the loss of an entire solid bowel movement in more severe cases to the loss of a small amount of liquid waste. It is estimated that over 6.5 million Americans have some form of fecal incontinence. It is more prevalent in women than men, primarily due to obstetrical trauma and pelvic floor dysfunction. This can be caused by severe constipation, damage to the anal sphincter muscles or nerves, anal surgery, spinal cord injury, stroke, systemic neurogenic disease such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, rectal prolapse and chronic diarrhea. For more information visit NAFC’s website.

About NAFC
The National Association For Continence is a 501(c) 3 corporation whose mission is threefold: 1) to educate the public about the causes, diagnosis categories, treatment options and management alternatives for incontinence, voiding dysfunction, nocturnal enuresis and related pelvic floor disorders; 2) to network with other organizations and agencies to elevate the visibility and priority given to these areas; and 3) to advocate on behalf of consumers who suffer from such symptoms as a result of disease or other illness, obstetrical, surgical or other trauma, or deterioration due to the aging process itself. NAFC is broadly funded by consumers, healthcare professionals and industry. It is the world’s largest and most prolific consumer advocacy organization devoted exclusively to this field.

About WXXI Public Broadcasting
WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues.

About West 175 Productions
West 175 Productions is an award-winning independent production company specializing in all aspects of informational and educational programming for both broadcast and non-boradcast distribution. Experienced in managing multi-part series productions, West 175 Productions include Great Food, Cucina Amore, Cucina Toscana, MasterChef USA and World of Wildlife.

About the University of Rochester Medical Center
One of the nation’s top academic health centers, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) forms the centerpiece of the University of Rochester’s health research, teaching, patient care and community outreach missions. It has won the National Research Corporation’s Consumer Choice for the last 15 years. URMC has been involved in Second Opinion since its inception.

NAFC
PO Box 1019
Charleston, SC 29402

This release was published on openPR.