Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2019

8 VITALITY Winter 2019 COMMUNITY CANCER New guidelines for colorectal cancer screening SCHEDULE YOUR COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING Ryan E. Denney, D.O., with CMH Gastroenterology Clinic, is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. Call 417-326-8700 and make an appointment for your colorectal cancer screening today. Take 5 minutes for a health break Here’s great news if you’re time-squeezed: Mini activity breaks of a mere five minutes throughout the day can help you stay healthy. So for those times when you can’t get to the gym or fit in that half-hour walk, try activity breaks like these: » If you’re deskbound, stand up and stretch or walk in place. » Turn nearby stairs into your personal exercise equipment and climb a few. » Rather than emailing a co-worker, walk over to his or her desk. » When waiting in line, do some micro-movements that others won’t notice—like glute squeezes or abdominal contractions. » See how many jumping jacks or pushups you can do during TV commercials. Sources:American HeartAssociation;Centers forDiseaseControland Prevention A rise in rates of colorectal cancer among young and middle-aged adults has spurred the American Cancer Society (ACS) to change its guidelines for when people should start screening for the disease. The ACS now recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendation of 50. People who are at increased risk for the cancer may want to start colorectal cancer screening before age 45 or be screened more often. WHAT PROMPTEDTHE CHANGE? A study led by the ACS and published earlier this year found that, overall, rates of new colorectal cancer cases in the U.S. have been dropping since the mid-1980s. The decline has been even steeper during the past decade—for which the ACS credits screening tests. Some screening tests, such as colonoscopies, can find and remove suspicious growths before they have a chance to become cancer. However, the decline in rates of newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer has been led by older adults. Incidence rates have actually been rising for adults younger than 50. In addition, the ACS study found that people younger than 55 are more likely than older people to be diagnosed with late- stage colorectal cancer. The study’s authors theorized that younger people are delaying diagnosis because they don’t recognize symptoms of the disease. According to the ACS, the most common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: » A change in bowel habits—such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool—that lasts for more than a few days. » A feeling like you need to have a bowel movement that isn’t relieved when you do have one. » Rectal bleeding. » Dark stools or blood in the stool. » Cramping or abdominal pain. » Weakness and fatigue. » Weight loss for no known reason. CHECKYOUR INSURANCE There are multiple screening tests available for colorectal cancer, including noninvasive stool tests. The new guidelines from the ACS don’t endorse a particular test, but they do stress regular screening and they recommend a follow-up with a colonoscopy if the results from another test are suspicious. The new ACS guidelines don’t quite match up with those of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which still recommends screening for colorectal cancer at age 50. Many insurance providers offer coverage based on the Task Force’s recommendations, so check your coverage in advance of any testing. ➜