Murray County Medical Center is launching its annual public awareness campaign to increase colon cancer screening with Dress in Blue Day on March 8th. Please join MCMC staff and numerous other organizations, businesses, schools and churches throughout the community to encourage everyone to wear blue to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. Few cancers are as easily prevented as colon cancer. Yet many people still miss out on their necessary preventative screenings.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s time to call your provider and ask about a screening test that’s right for you. Routine screening is highly effective. Colon cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined. Early colon cancer usually has no symptoms, so it’s important to be screened. Age is the most common risk factor.
It is recommended that everyone age 50 and older be screened. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, or certain risk factors such as polyps (growths) or inflammatory bowel disease, you should check with your provider about getting screened at an earlier age. There are several different tests for colon cancer. Some can be done at home to check for hidden blood in the stool. Other tests must be done in a healthcare facility by a physician and may use x-rays or a thin flexible tube to examine part or all of the colon. Most insurance plans, Medicaid and Medicare help cover the cost for preventative screenings.
Dress in Blue - tell your friends why and call your Murray County Medical Center today at (507) 836-6111 to make an appointment. Don’t let fear, embarrassment or any other reason keep you from taking the next step.
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