Dr. Joseph Eyring, a prominent colorectal surgeon, talks about what you need to know as an employee and employer to make a difference in your life and the lives of those you love.
UCAN’s New Workplace Campaign—There are Scarier Things Than a Colonscopy
◄ UCAN recently launched a workplace campaign based on the premise that there are scarier things in life than getting a colonoscopy. The campaign is running now until the end of May.
◄ Workplaces and employers across the state are encouraged to visit ColonoscopiesAreNotScary.com for additional information on how their company can be part of the campaign.
◄UCAN will provide businesses with bathroom stall posters, palm cards with information about colon cancer and colonoscopies).
◄ Employees who visit the website and pledge to get a colonoscopy will be entered in a weekly drawing, as well as a grand prize drawing—a stay at The Canyons Resort.
◄ Companies who have already jumped on board include Molina Healthcare, Salt Lake Bees and Staker Parson Companies.
About Colorectal Cancer [1]:
1. Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the United States and in Utah
2. At least 50%-60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.[2]
3. At least 75% of colorectal cancers occur in those with no family or personal history of the disease.
Risk Factors 2:
1. Aged 50 or older
2. Family or personal history of colon or rectal cancers
3. Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
4. Diet
5. Smoking
6. Sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms [3]:
1. Colorectal cancer does not usually show symptoms until late in the disease.
2. Once colon cancer shows symptoms the chance for cure is significantly reduced.
3. Symptoms can include:
• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
• Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach that happen a lot and you don’t know why.
• A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual.
• Losing weight and you don’t know why.
Screening Options 2:
1) Colonoscopy—Most effective and preferred, every 10 years when the last test was normal.
2) Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) annually
3) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, every 5 years alone or in combination with FOBT
4) Barium Enema, every 5 years when the last test was normal.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife
[1] Selby JV, Friedman GD, Quesenberry CP Jr., Weiss NS. A case control study of screening sigmoidoscopy and mortality from colorectal cancer. New England Journal of Medicine 1992;326:653-657.
[1] National Cancer Institute, website: www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/colon/patient/
To learn more, visit www.ucan.cc/notscary
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