Physician Assistant Solena Roberts said March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and said the St. George Clinic hopes to educate the public on the importance of screenings to detect this cancer.
“We are going to offer the opportunity to have some screenings at the clinic,” Roberts said. “There is such a stigma attached with having a colonoscopy and people feel they don’t need a colonoscopy if they are not having any noticeable problems.”
Roberts said the clinic staff strives to educate patients about the importance of colorectal cancer screenings.
“One lady last year did not want to be screened for colon cancer,” Roberts said. “She had an exam and the provider thought she felt something and she was sent for a colonoscopy, reluctantly. She was found to have colon cancer.”
Roberts said another patient was willing to be screened for colon cancer at age 50 but she did not have insurance. “There are not currently any programs to pay for colonoscopy screenings. She did get insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and we scheduled her colonoscopy. She was found to have two different types of colon cancer. She is undergoing treatment now and if we had waited another year, her outcome would not be what it is.”
Roberts said if folks wait to until they are having problems to be screened for colon cancer, it is too late for a good outcome. “If you can find colon cancer when it is still a polyp or early in its development, it can be easily treated and doesn’t cause problems until it is big. The body does a really good job with curve balls.”
Roberts said signs of problems that should be checked include changes in bowel habits or bleeding.
In September, the clinic participated in Flu Fit. “When we were vaccinating people for the flu, we used that point of contact to educate them on the importance of colorectal cancer screenings. We recently switched to a chemical testing that is easier and more sensitive. This test is performed in the patient’s home and then mailed back to the clinic.”
Roberts said they did about 40 of the tests from the Flu Fit and about two people went on to have a colonoscopy based on the results. “This is something we will probably do each year.”
In March, the St. George Clinic is offering people an opportunity to schedule a colonoscopy. “If you do not want a colonoscopy, the best thing to do is the Fit test. It is better than nothing. We refer our colonoscopies to Davis Medical Center or wherever the patient wants to go.”
Colorectal Cancer Facts
-Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women. It affects all races and is most commonly found in people age 50 or older.
-The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer, that’s why it is so important to get screened.
-People age 50 and older have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. Also, those at high risk include people with a family history of colorectal cancer, those who smoke and African Americans.
-There are several screening options including take home kits. Most insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening, and there are affordable options for patients who are uninsured.
For additional information, or to discuss screening options, call the St. George Medical Clinic at 304-478-4099.
