March is colon cancer awareness month and health care providers are getting the word out.
Colon cancer is 90 percent curable if it's found early.
- Screening
is key, as 60 percent of deaths from colon cancer could be prevented if men and women
50 years of age and older were screened regularly.
- In the Two Rivers District only 26 percent of
residents have had a blood stool test screening in the last two years, and less
than 50 percent have ever had a colonoscopy to check for colon cancer.
- If you are over 50 years of age, have a
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) performed yearly to detect blood in the stool from polyps.
- If over 50, have a
colonoscopy every 10 years to look for polyps, more often if family history.
- Have
polyps removed to prevent cancer from starting or spreading.
Steps to help prevent colorectal
cancer include:
- Eat a diet
containing fruits, vegetables and fiber.
- Move your
body. Get active.
- If you
smoke, find help and quit.
Fecal Occult Blood Tests can be obtained free of
charge from March 18 to 29. Just contact your local hospital to request one.
- Cozad Community Hospital: 308-784-2261
- Franklin County Memorial
Hospital: 308-425-6221
- Good Samaritan Hospital: 308-865-7886
- Gothenburg Memorial Hospital: 308-537-3661
- Harlan County Health System: 308-928-2151
- Lexington Regional Health
Center: 308-324-5651
- Phelps Memorial Health Center: 308-995-2211
