Friday, March 29, 2024

Look after your colon

Posted

| HEALTH WITH HOSS

Did you know that most of the decisions that affect your health occur outside of the doctor’s office?

Healthy diet, regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and overuse of alcohol are primary factors that affect our health as Americans. In addition, everyone should have a regular visit with a health care provider to help them prevent illness and make healthy lifestyle choices.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month. Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. The colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine. Your gastrointestinal system is constantly at work to process the food you eat and medications you take, and to take waste out of your body.

REGULAR SCREENINGS

If you are 50 to 75 years old, you should get screened regularly for colorectal cancer. There are several kinds of screening tests for colorectal cancer, some can even be done at home. You may need to get tested before age 50 or after age 75 if colorectal cancer runs in your family.

According to the most recent statistics available from the Texas Department of State Health Services and U.S. Centers for Disease Control, only 64-67 percent of Hood County residents aged 50-75 were screened for colon cancer with either a lab test or a more definitive test like a colonoscopy. Hood County was on par with the national average of 66-67 percent, better than the Texas average of 60-61percent.

Insurance status, poverty, and education levels are all factors that impact these statistics.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover screening for colorectal cancer for people over age 50 at no cost to you. Talk with your insurance company to learn more.

PREPARE FOR DOCTOR VISIT

Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions written down ahead of time. You may also want to ask a family member or close friend to go with you to take notes.

To help with the communication with your provider, you can print out these questions and take them to your appointment.

■ What is my risk for colorectal cancer?

■ When do you recommend that I start getting tested?

■ What are the different types of screening tests for colorectal cancer?

■ Which screening test do you recommend? Why?

■ How often do I need to get tested?

■ What happens during the screening? How do I prepare?

■ Are there any dangers or side effects of screening?

■ How long will it take to get the results?

■ What can I do to reduce my risk of colorectal cancer?

The National Institutes of Health has information at https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/screening-fact-sheet.