Health Library |
Protecting Yourself from Colon Cancer The American Cancer Society estimates that 55,000 deaths related to colorectal cancer occur each year. To help lower that statistic, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is committed to providing easier access to preventive screenings.
Screening for colorectal cancer increases the chances of detection and early treatment of both colon and rectal cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, such cancers usually start as a small polyp long before symptoms appear.
“Average-risk adults should have a screening colonoscopy at age 50, but the latest statistic shows that only about 40 percent of people actually get the screening done,” says Laura Strohmeyer, R.N., nurse manager of the GI Lab at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. “Colonoscopies aren’t just a screening tool for colon-rectal cancer, they can prevent colon cancer because pre-cancerous polyps are removed. Our goal is to help as many people as possible obtain screenings.”
Making the Process Easier
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas recently implemented the Colonoscopy Clinic to make scheduling screening colonoscopies easier for patients. With one telephone call, patients can now schedule a colonoscopy, eliminating the need for an office visit to the physician to set up the procedure.
“When it’s easier for the patient, he or she is more likely to obtain the necessary screenings, which may mean polyps are discovered that otherwise may have been missed. These screenings can truly make a difference in the health of our community.” (Summer 2008) |
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