Good Samaritan Promoting Screenings During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Prevention is key to fighting colon cancer and Good Samaritan encourages the community to take advantage of colorectal cancer screenings throughout March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Beginning at the age of 45, regular screening is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer.

The exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown; however, prevention and early detection are important because most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Early detection screenings for colorectal cancer can help find polyps, which can be easily removed, thereby lowering a person’s cancer risk.

“There is robust scientific evidence that shows most cases of colon cancer are preventable when patients have colonoscopies,” said Good Samaritan Gastroenterologist, Dr. Oluwagbenga Serrano. “I believe patients are hesitant to have colonoscopies because they fear it will be painful. In most cases, there is no pain and the patients are under general anesthesia. A routine colonoscopy where no polyps or abnormalities are found can be performed in as little as 20 minutes.”

Before a colonoscopy, patients are asked to drink bowel cleansers the day before their exam. This is the part that most people find unpleasant, but it is temporary and a vital part of the preparation process. During a colonoscopy, the physician uses a long, flexible tubular instrument with a camera that transmits an image of the lining of the colon to see any abnormalities.

In addition to yearly colonoscopies, Good Samaritan Community Health Services encourages community members aged 45 and older to pick up a free colorectal cancer take-home screening kit at Community Health Services, 615 Dubois St. Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST. The kits will also be available at the following locations:

• Wednesday, March 8 - Goodwill in Vincennes from 12:30 - 2 p.m. EST
• Wednesday, March 15 - Washington Senior and Family Services from 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST
• Wednesday, March 15 - Petersburg Senior Center from 10-11 a.m. EST
• Wednesday, March 22 - Crawford County Senior Center from 9:00-10:15 a.m. CST
• Wednesday, March 22 - Lawrenceville Senior Center from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. CST

Patients who would like to have more information about colonoscopies and would like to schedule an appointment will need to contact their primary care provider. Those who do not have a provider can call Good Samaritan’s Find A Provider hotline at 812-885-8500 or visit gshvin.org/findaprovider.