COLORECTAL
SCREENING ~
GET THE FACTS. GET SCREENED. inte
According to the Maine Public Health, colorectal
cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer of women
and men.
Risk Factors
There are some risk factors for colorectal cancer
that you may not be able to control such as:
• Age over 50
• A personal or family history of colorectal
cancer or colorectal polyps. There is a link
between genetics and colorectal cancer. Knowing
your family's history is important.
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative
colitis or Crohn's disease.
• Certain hereditary syndromes
The risk factors for colorectal cancer that you
can change:
• Physical inactivity
• High-fat, low fiber diets
• Obesity
• Tobacco use
• Excessive alcohol use
Signs & Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
• SOMETIMES NONE -
early colorectal cancer often may have no
symptoms.
• Blood in or on stool
• Frequent abdominal discomfort
• Pencil thin stools
• Unexplained weight loss
If you should have any of these symptoms, discuss
them with your doctor. Even if you don't have
any symptoms but you are over the age of 50 and
you have never been screened, start now.
What are things you can do to prevent colorectal
Cancer?
Exercise regularly!
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Exercise helps to maintain
a healthy weight. Make sure to check with
your doctor if you have not been physically
active and plan to start exercising. |
| Maintain
a healthy weight! March is National Nutrition
month.
Increase the fiber and reduce the fat in
your diet. Healthy eating and maintaining
a healthy weight may have protective effects.
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits may
prevent cancer and other diseases. Whole
grains from breads, cereals, nuts and beans
may also provide protective effects. Folic
acid has been shown to reduce cardiovascular
disease and colon, cervical and breast cancers. |
Join
RFGH for our weight management program.
Weigh to Go starts at Redington-Fairview
General Hospital on Monday April 18th. Weigh
to Go is a 8-week weight loss series, taught
by RFGH dietitians and other health professionals,
emphasizes permanent weight loss through
healthy choices. Over the past year, participants
completing the program have lost an average
of 5 pounds per person over the 8- week
period. Such weight loss can reduce blood
pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, risk
for heart disease, cancer and more. For
more Information & to reserve space,
please call 858-2318.
Visit
MyPyramid.gov
if you would like to visit the USDA center
for nutrition. The pyramid will provide
you with easy to read information about
grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meats
and beans with simple recommendations.
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Stop smoking! |
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Need help
with tobacco cessation? Call it Quits!
Call the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230
or call the Community Health Educator at
858-2318 for 1:1 support and education,
or contact Somerset Heart Health at 474-7473
and ask about the Quit and Win program.
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GET SCREENED FOR COLORECTAL CANCER. Colorectal
Cancer Screening Saves Lives! Talk to your
doctor and Screen for Life. |
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If you are
over 50, get tested for Colorectal Cancer.
Screening tests can find precancerous polyps
so they can be removed before they turn
into cancer and can also find colorectal
cancer early, when treatment is most effective. |
RESOURCES:
www.mainepublichealth.gov
www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife
www.preventcancer.org
National Cancer Institute: 1-800-4-CANCER For
TTY, call 1-800-332-8615
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