24 Mar
by Derrick Vander Waal
SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Colorectal cancer is one of the top three leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Colorectal cancer is one of the top three leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
But it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers if detected early.
Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center can offer patients an annual stool test that is an effective tool in detecting colorectal cancer.
Vicki Schrock |
“It’s a great option to check colon health in a noninvasive way in your own home,” said Vicki Schrock, clinic manager for Promise. “It’s really easy. It’s a low-cost option.”
Colorectal screenings are recommended for all men and women when they turn 50 years old.
Schrock encourages people who would like to learn more about the colorectal test to make an appointment with one of Promise’s medical providers: Dr. Del Lassen or nurse practitioners Tana Kass and Beth Strub.
The patient takes the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) test kit home with them and uses it in their own bathroom. All the necessary materials are provided in the kit for people to take the sample and mail it in for testing.
“If there is follow-up needed, we would help arrange for follow-up care,” Schrock said.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Promise at 712-700-1700.
To learn more about colorectal cancer, visit these resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Cancer Society.
Promise Community Health Center, headquartered in Sioux Center, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the far northwest corner of Iowa. Promise provides medical, dental, prenatal and behavioral health services. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org.
AWARENESS MONTH:
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The awareness effort advocates for the importance of lifesaving colorectal screenings. Promise Community Health Center participates in the Iowa Get Screened Colorectal Cancer Program that aims to increase Iowa’s colorectal screening rate among people ages 50-75 from 71 to 80 percent by 2018.