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HEALTH
Together a healthy community.
www.broadlawns.org
March 2017
March is
COLON CANCER
AWARENESS MONTH
Colon cancer is the SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF
CANCER DEATH in the United States.
Colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, develops in the colon or
rectum. Most often, it develops from small polyps (clumps of cells) that form in the
large intestine or rectum. With proper screening, colon cancer is one of the most
preventable forms of cancer.
SYMPTOMS:
Change in bowel habits
present for several days
Blood in the stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort
(gas, cramps, or pain)
Weakness/fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
WHO GETS
COLON CANCER?
mong ethnic groups, African
A
American men and women tend
to have an elevated risk.
People with an immediate family
member who has been diagnosed
are three times more likely to
develop colon cancer.
EARLY DETECTION IS THE KEY!
Start screening at age 50. Talk to your doctor about earlier screening
if you have any risk factors or family history of colon cancer.
GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC
(515) 282-2234
PREVENTION:
Eat a variety of fruits,
vegetables, and
whole grains.
Use moderation
when drinking alcohol.
Stop smoking.
xercise most days of
E
the week.
RISK FACTORS:
– Age
– Smoking
– Race
–H
eavy alcohol
– Family history
consumption
– Personal
– Crohn’s
history
disease or
– Inactive lifestyle ulcerative
– Obesity
colitis
Source: www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal
GET INVOLVED IN
YOUR HEALTHCARE
HOW CAN I BE AN
ENGAGED PATIENT?
Do your part to stay healthy. Stay active,
maintain a healthy weight, and do your best to
eat the right foods.
Seek care as soon as you need it. Delays in
seeking care can allow health problems to become
more serious, more costly and harder to treat.
Ask questions. You need to understand the
information you are given. Prepare for your next
visit by maintaining a list of questions you have
about your health.
3
QUESTIONS TO ASK
your provider to better understand your health.
1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important
for me to do this?
Make sure you understand. Did the doctor
say a word you didn’t understand? Ask your
provider to explain what they said in more
commonly understood terms, or ask for written
instructions. It’s also helpful to repeat back to the
provider what they said, but in your own words.
TIPS FOR CLEAR HEALTH
COMMUNICATION
Be involved with decisions that affect
your health. If your provider recommends tests
or treatment, ask for the information you need to
make an informed decision.
Make a list of health concerns
Ask questions
ring a friend or family member
B
to help at your appointment
Bring a list of medications
sk the pharmacist for help with
A
medication questions
Source: www.aligning4healthpa.org/patients.aspx
| www.broadlawns.org
MARCH 2017 | BROADLAWNS MEDICAL CENTER