Siouxland High in Colorectal Cancer Diagnoses, But Low for Colorectal Screenings
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we have an important message to share.
Colorectal cancer is one of the top cancer diagnoses in our tri-state area. Per the Iowa Cancer Registry Report with 2004-2015 data, the risk of developing colorectal cancer in the Sioux City area is higher than the 12-year state average. But, according to 2018 screening data that is part of county data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) under the CDC, the Sioux City area is the lowest metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) in Iowa with persons ages 50-75 getting a colonoscopy in the last 10 years.
Colorectal cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early. In many cases, you can stop it before it starts. If you are ages 50-75, you should be getting a colonoscopy. If you aren’t, you are missing the chance to prevent colorectal cancer or find it early, when treatment often leads to a cure. Over half of the deaths due to colon cancer each year could have been avoided if those aged 50 and older were being screened for colon cancer.
Your primary care physician will decide when you should get your first colon cancer screening - the recommendation is between the ages of 45 - 50 (usually 50). The preferred screening method is a colonoscopy. Per the American Cancer Society, healthy people without risk factors should stay on the 10-year schedule of colonoscopies with virtual colonoscopies every 5 years until age 75. After that, colonoscopies should be scheduled according to the patients’ preferences and medical needs, stopping at age 85. Your doctor can help you put together a colonoscopy schedule that’s tailored to your unique medical history and needs.
The June E. Nylen Cancer Center along with the local medical practices with primary care physicians including MercyOne Siouxland, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s, Family Health Care of Siouxland, Community Health Center, and Family Medicine Center have joined together to help get this message out! If you are 50 or older, talk to your primary care doctor today about getting a colonoscopy. Don’t be a statistic - get screened!
And please help us spread awareness of this important message. Print THIS POSTER and hang in your workplace, church, organization, etc. Thank you!
