February 20, 2007

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CentraCare Health System encourages screenings during Colon Cancer Awareness Month

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and CentraCare Health System health care providers are encouraging people to know their family history and get screened for the disease.

To educate patients about the risks, symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment options for colorectal cancer, the Super Colon will be at Crossroads Center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 24, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25. The Super Colon is an 8-foot tall, 20-foot long replica of a human colon.

“Having the Super Colon at Crossroads Center allows the community to learn about colon cancer in an interactive way and really drive home the message that the only way to prevent or treat colon cancer is to get screened,” says Linda Meehl, Clinical Research, Cancer Prevention & Control at Coborn Cancer Center.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 60,000 Americans will die this year from colon cancer. Colon cancer screenings lag far behind screenings for other cancers such as breast, cervical and prostate. Colorectal cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States even though it has a high cure rate if found and treated at an early stage.

“Colon cancer is 90 percent preventable with regular screenings and if detected in its earliest stages, it’s successfully treated 90 percent of the time,” says Nicholas Reuter, M.D., Director of Medical Oncology at Coborn Cancer Center. “Men and women over the age of 50 should be screened, especially those who have a family history of colon cancer. Women who have a history of endometrial or ovarian cancer have a greater risk of developing colon cancer and also should be screened.”

Screenings are used to reveal the presence of polyps, which are growths of tissue projecting from the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps are more dangerous than others, but most are benign if removed early. “The main thing we want people to take away from this exhibit is that you can’t wait for symptoms like pain, bloating or bleeding. If you are 50 years old, you should have a screening colonoscopy. After your first screening, you may not need another for five to 10 years.” says Scot Hutton, M.D., Medical Director at CentraCare Digestive Center. “I recommend colonoscopies -- they provide the most accurate screening. It is the best way to detect colon cancer or polyps before they become cancerous.”

“By helping to bring the Super Colon to Crossroads Center, the Cancer Care Center Board hopes to raise awareness of the risks of colon cancer and increase the community’s knowledge about screening for the disease,” said Jane Vortherms, R.N., Director of Medical Oncology and Infusion Services at Coborn Cancer Center.

The Super Colon is sponsored by the Coborn Cancer Center, CentraCare Digestive Center, the American Cancer Society, and the Bauerly Families and MDU Foundation.

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