SAINT MARY’S NEWS RELEASE
To increase awareness of the importance of colon cancer screening, Saint Mary’s is proudly participating in Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. The disease is treatable and can easily be prevented if screened early.
“It is important for those at risk and those who are noticing symptoms to get screened early,” said Suzi Puryear, nurse navigator at Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer. “Colon cancer is oftentimes a silent disease and caught too late. We encourage the community to understand how important screening is, at all adult ages.”
If the cancer is detected and treated in the earliest stages, between 80 and 90 percent of patients are restored to normal health. There is only a 12 percent survival rate for those cancers found and treated at a later, more advanced stage. Colon cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early enough, most treatable forms of cancer. Common symptoms and warning signs of colon cancer include:
· Blood in or on the stool
· Change in bowel habits or shape of stool
· Increases in stomach discomfort such as bloating, gas, fullness, and cramping
· Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
· Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
Colon cancer impacts a wide range of the population between the ages of 20 and 49 and is no longer targeted to just the elder population. Getting screened is simple, and patients can take advantage of two options. A colonoscopy is the best way to detect colon cancer, and the procedure itself takes only six minutes. Secondly, patients can request an at-home colon cancer screening from their physician. The at-home kit is private, simple and affordable.
Saint Mary’s is making screening easier than ever by offering an at-home colon cancer “FIT” screening kit for just $20. Call us today at 770-3806 and request your screening kit.
For more information on how Saint Mary’s is encouraging screening, visit www.saintmarysreno.com/cancer.
Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center based in Reno is a 380-bed acute care and general medical/surgical hospital providing quality patient care since 1908. Nationally recognized and accredited by the Joint Commission, Saint Mary’s offers a robust line of services including a top-rated Center for Cancer featuring the region’s only CyberKnife radiosurgery delivery system, state-of-the-art William N. Pennington Emergency Room and Senior ER and a Cardiology Program dedicated to long-term wellness. The health system also operates a fully-integrated Medical Group with six primary care offices, four urgent care facilities and two retail clinics and a state-of-the-art Center for Health & Fitness. As a long-standing community partner, Saint Mary’s is dedicated to ensuring the health and wellness of northern Nevada remains strong. For more information, visit www.saintmarysreno.com.
