05/17/10 - 06/01/10
Mercer Health officials announced today that they have received a $3500 grant to provide Colon Cancer prevention education from The American Cancer Society through the Ohio Department of Health. Renee Kinney, RN, Director of Wellness Services at Mercer Health, states, "Mercer County ranks sixth in the state (of the 88 counties) for the average annual rate of diagnosis of invasive colon cancer. Only 40% of individuals 50 and over had either a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years. Early detection of colorectal cancer is key for successful treatment of the disease." As part of the grant, Mercer Health has partnered with Celina Wal-Mart to offer the community an opportunity to actually walk through an 8 x 20 foot inflatable colon exhibit to see what different types of diseases can grow inside the colon and learn how to prevent colon cancer. Tours of the display will be on Friday, May 28, from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Kinney says, "We chose the Friday before the Memorial Day Weekend because there is an increased amount of traffic which will provide more opportunities for the public to see this unique exhibit. Our goal is to offer a visual impact to encourage people to practice prevention and early detection for colorectal cancer for them and their families."
In addition to the Celina Super Wal-Mart, other organizations supporting the cooperative grant include the Mercer County Health Department, the American Cancer Society of Northwest Ohio, and the Northwest Ohio Colorectal Cancer Coalition and area physician practices. This project was supported by CDC Cooperative Agreement DP07-703-1-U58-DP000795-02. (Note: The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.) In addition to the walk through Colon display, Mercer Health is working with many area physicians to mail educational materials to some of their patients. Kinney states, "Those receiving the mailing will get a copy of the recommended screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society and signed letter from their physician encouraging a colorectal cancer screening." Studies have shown that early detection through a screening is the best way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Screening tests such as a colonoscopy (the gold standard) can find polyps (small growths that appear in the colon and rectum area) and remove them before they become cancerous. Kinney says, "According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. among cancers that affect both men and women. But if everyone age 50 years or older had regular screening test, at least 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided." The American Cancer Society recommends that you have one of these tests. Those tests that find polyps and cancer include the colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema, or a virtual colonoscopy (CAT Scan of the Colon). Tests that can find cancer are the fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test, and stool DNA test, but if they come back as abnormal, a colonoscopy will most likely be ordered. Screening tests look for polyps so that they can be removed; thereby stopping the cancer from ever developing. These tests also find cancer at early, more curable, stages. In early stages of colorectal cancer, there may not be any symptoms. However, as the cancer develops, some of the symptoms may include rectal bleeding or blood in the stool; change in bowel habits; stools that are narrower than usual; constant stomach aches, pains or cramps; weight loss for no apparent reason; constant fatigue; diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely, and/or black or very dark colored stools.
Persons wanting more information about colorectal cancer can call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. |
