BOTTOMS UP, OMAHA!

MARCH IS NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARNESS MONTH

The goal is to increase awareness that colorectal cancer is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.

CD105.9 and The American Cancer Society have teamed up for the 4th Annual "Bottoms Up, Omaha!" broadcast. 

Steve King will Broadcast from the Bakers Pharmacy at 120th and Center from 6:00am to 9:00am on Monday March 8th.  Stop by and pick up your free colon cancer home screening kit.

Vision of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

A world in which colorectal cancer is no longer a life threatening disease because:

Individuals take action to get screened

Barriers to screening are removed, especially lack of access to services

All key stakeholders commit to decreasing colorectal cancer rates

PREVENTION

• Get regular screening tests.
• Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Don't smoke, and don't drink alcohol excessively.

RISK

• Men and women age 50 and older
• People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
• People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
• People who use tobacco, are obese and are sedentary

SYMPTOMS

In the early stages, there may not be any symptoms. Later, these symptoms may appear:

• Rectal bleeding and/or blood in or on the stool (bright red)
• Change in bowel habits and/or stools that are narrower than usual
• Stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness and/or cramps) and frequent gas pains
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Weight loss for no apparent reason and/or constant tiredness
• Vomiting

EARLY DETECTION

If you are at average risk for colorectal cancer, start having regular screening at age 50. If you are at greater risk, you may need to begin regular colorectal cancer screening at an earlier age. Choose one of these screening tools:

• A colonoscopy every 10 years
• A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) every year, followed by a colonoscopy if something abnormal is found
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, in combination with yearly FOBT or FIT

TREATMENT

• Surgery is the most common treatment.
• Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy when the cancer has spread.

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and/or rectum. It is equally common in both men and women – 153,760 cases were estimated to be diagnosed in 2007, and 52,180 people projected to die of the illness. It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous.

CD105.9 and The American Cancer Society have teamed up for the 4th Annual "Bottoms Up, Omaha!" broadcast.  Steve King will Broadccast from Bakers at 120th and Center from 5:30am to 9:00am on Monday March 9th.