When cancer starts in the colon or rectum, it is called colorectal cancer.  Colorectal cancer affects both men and women and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older.  Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.  A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn’t have symptoms.  Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. National guidelines for colorectal cancer screening include several screening test options.  Recommended screening tests are: high-sensitivity fecal occult blood test once a year, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, and colonoscopy once every ten years.
 
Some people are at an increased risk and may need to be tested earlier than 50.  They include people with an inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome.
 
In May 1982, my father was diagnosed with colon cancer.  He died nine months later at the age of 56.  That is what motivates my sister and me to be screened for colon cancer.  Many people I know cringe at the thought of a colonoscopy, but I tell them the prep beforehand is much worse than the test itself. 

If you are age 50 or older or if you think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your healthcare provider about getting screened.  Getting screened could save your life.

BY: Patti Andrews, RN, BSN

During the summer months, a lot of people hit the road for vacations which can leave Iowa blood banks low on blood supplies.  Did you know that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood?  Did you know that over a lifetime, 90 percent of people who live to be 70 years old will need blood?  Did you know that one pint of blood can potentially save three lives?  Giving blood regularly is a really big deal to cancer patients, premature babies, new mothers, surgical patients and trauma victims with all different blood types.
In the weeks before you donate blood, be sure to eat foods high in iron and drink lots of water.  Some high iron foods include fortified cereals and breads, beans, oysters, spinach, red meat, fish, dried fruits such as prunes and raisins, orange juice, strawberries, and broccoli.
If you would like to give blood, mark your calendar and plan to attend the next Red Cross blood drive in Galva on Thursday, August 25th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Methodist Church located at 300 Crawford Street.  You can sign up online to donate at www.redcrossblood.org or simply call LuAnn Bennett at 282-4608 for an appointment time.  Walk-ins are always welcome, and the thank-you-for-donating snacks are pretty good!
You can donate blood every 56 days to help someone you may or may not know.  Are you ready?  Give blood this summer and save three lives!