EHS joined the initiative on raising Awareness of Colorectal Cancer by encouraging its employees to donate one can of goods and a pair of eyeglasses in exchange for dressing blue every Friday of March. Items collected went toward Cleveland´s Food Pantry and the Lions Club respectively.
The campaign was aimed at raising awareness of employees on the importance of having regular screening of colorectal cancer and making healthy choices.
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Approximately 140,000 people will be diagnosed this year and 56,000 will die from the disease in the nation. In Texas, it is estimated that 11,533 people will be newly diagnosed and 4,242 will die from colorectal cancer in 2019, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas HHS).
The good news is that it is one of the most preventable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer. From colonoscopy to at-home stool tests, there are different options to screen this disease.
EHS offers screening on colorectal cancer at all its locations. It is an easy procedure that can take only a few minutes.
According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, all men and women should be screened for colon cancer beginning at age 50, if not earlier. Also, should be screened those who have a family history and those that are experiencing symptom, regardless of age or family history.
Screening allows doctors to look for pre-cancerous polyps and remove them before they even turn into cancer (CDC). Screening also helps to detect Colorectal cancer at an early stage, when there is a still a cure and treatment.
While timely screening is the number one way to prevent colorectal cancer, there are other things people can do to help reduce the risk. According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, making healthy choices such as eating more vegetables, fruits and other plant foods might help to reduce risk for colorectal cancer. Also, Research consistently shows that an increase in physical activity can reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by 30 to 40 percent. It’s estimated that 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day is needed to protect against colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer occurs in the colon or rectum when polyps, of abnormal growths, form in those areas and turn into cancer, according to a description of the disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Common Symptoms:
The greatest majority of patients diagnosed with colon cancer have no symptoms. However, there are common symptoms that may appear and that will require a medical consultation:
- Blood in or on stool.
- A change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool.
- Stomach aches, pains, or cramps that don’t go away.
- Losing weight and without a cause.