CDPHP Collaborative News - Spotlight on: Colorectal Cancer Screening - March 2015

Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

CDPHP Collaborative News

Safe and Healthy Me - Eat Well, Move More, Stay Safe, Tobacco Free.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Resources

> Governor Walker's Proclamation: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

> ANTHC Colorectal Cancer Control Program

> Prevent Cancer Foundation

> American Cancer Society

> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

> Alaska Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion screening materials


Links

> I Got Screened campaign

> Alaska Colorectal Cancer Partnership on Facebook

> Family History Information at “My family Health Portrait.

> Choosing the right test for Colorectal Screening


Videos

> Preventive Screenings PSA: Take charge of your health. Take charge of your life.


Safe and Healthy Me

MARCH 2015


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Spotlight on:

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Nolan the Colon Colorectal Cancer Educational Display
Nolan the Colon - Colorectal Cancer Educational Display

Alaskans are getting screened for cancer, and they’re talking about it.

Dr. Paul Davis of Anchorage joins a dozen other Alaska residents on the Alaska Colorectal Cancer Partnership website to talk about why they got screened for cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every two men will be diagnosed with cancer during his lifetime. One out of every three women will be diagnosed with cancer during her lifetime. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Alaska.

Dr. Davis got screened for colorectal cancer — the second most deadly form of cancer death in Alaska (Alaska Cancer Registry, 2008 – 2012). It does not have to be. Screening can prevent this cancer or catch it early when it is highly treatable. This cancer can be prevented by removing polyps (growths in the intestine) before they become cancerous.

“This is really the only screening test that has been proven to not only save lives and prevent cancer as well as find it early enough to be cured, but it’s also changing the whole face of cancer in this country,” Dr. Davis said on the Alaska Colorectal Cancer Partnership website. “We’ve been doing colonoscopies and removing polyps for 20 years and guess what? The rates of colon cancer are starting to go down.”

Early Detection

Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for those at average risk to begin at age 50, and at age 40 if they are Alaska Native, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. There are several tests to consider, including a colonoscopy every 10 years or a yearly Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) test that looks for blood in the stool. For more information on which screening option is right for you, see your healthcare provider or use this link: Choosing the right test for Colorectal Screening.

Prevention

According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, cancer risk can be lowered by living a healthy lifestyle:

  • Being physically active for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week;
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains;
  • Eating less red meat and avoiding processed meat; 
  • Not smoking; 
  • Limiting your alcohol use to no more than one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men; and 
  • Getting screened for cancer.

The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable is challenging us to increase our screening for colorectal cancer to 80% of adults ages 50 and older being regularly screened by 2018. In order to meet this goal, all organizations are invited to join the Alaska Colorectal Cancer Partnership to increase awareness about colorectal cancer, increase access to screening, and decrease the number of Alaskans who die from this disease.

During March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, be on the lookout for Nolan The Colon, the inflatable colon making visits to colorectal cancer events across Alaska, including the Alaska Native Medical Center, Southcentral Foundation in both Anchorage and Mat Su, and Fairbanks Tanana Chiefs, to name a few. Visit www.alaskacolonhealth.org to hear from Alaskans who got screened and are now sharing their stories.

Section
Announcements



Key Section Publications

Colorectal Cancer Screening Events


Line One: Dr. Thad Woodard on KSKA - Colorectal Cancer Awareness

  • When: March 23, 2pm and 9pm.
  • What: Dr. Heidi Baines, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center and Diana Redwood, PhD Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will talk about Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Screening.
  • Learn more>

 ......

Webinars about cancer screening with the Alaska Primary Care Association

  • When:  March 24 and March 26
  • What: Dr. Heidi Baines, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, will present on “Increasing Colon Screening using Quality Improvement Measures in the Federally Qualified Health Center.”

    What: Diana Redwood, PhD Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, will present on “Screening in the Alaska Native Community for Colon Cancer.”
  • Email for more info>

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Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, PBS

  • When: March 30–April 1, from 8–10 p.m. each night. 
  • What: This documentary by Ken Burns is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Siddhartha Mukherjee, telling the complete story of cancer.

 

Save the Date - 2015 Events


Alaska Academy of Family Physicians Winter Update

  • When: March 13-15
  • Where: Alyeska Hotel, Girdwood, AK
  • Learn more>

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Governor’s Safety and Health Conference

  • When: March 24-26
  • Where: Dena'ina Convention Center, Anchorage, AK
  • Learn More>

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Annual Psychiatric Association CME Spring Education Conference

  • When: April 10-12
  • Where: Alyeska Hotel, Girdwood, AK
  • Learn More>

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Full Lives Conference

  • When: April 16-17
  • Where: Sheraton Hotel, Anchorage, AK
  • Learn More>

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Community Health Aide Program Forum

  • When: April 20-24
  • Where: ANTHC COB Building Conf Rms 1&2, Anchorage, AK
  • Learn More>

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American Heart Association Heart Run/Walk