Colorectal Screening Saves Lives
Procedure can
detect cancer before
symptoms occur
sulting firm, and she hadn’t taken a
sick day in eight years. She had
yearly physicals and there was no
indication that there was any prob
lem at all. She was confident she
didn’t need to be screened.
Tami Mahrt was two years past
Peer pressure helped her finally
the recommended age for colorectal
make an appointment.
cancer screening. Though she con
“I was having a glass of wine with
sidered herself healthy at 52 years
some girlfriends and one of them
old, she finally went in for her
asked each one of us if w e’d had our
colonoscopy and awoke from the
colonoscopies yet,” Mahrt says.
routine procedure with shocking
So, she scheduled hers.
news. Doctors spotted a 4.5 centi
After her colonoscopy, Mahrt
meter growth in her colon and said
w as d ia g n o sed w ith S tage 1
they’d need to remove it with sur
colorectal cancer. The cancer was
gery.
se lf-co n tain ed and h a d n ’t yet
Mahrt, a manager of operations
spread to surrounding tissue. Her
for the Multnomah County Em
surgeon was able to remove all the
ployee Benefits Office, shared her
cancerous tissue and she did not
story during a recent Colorectal
______________________________
______________________________
require chemotherapy or radiation.
Cancer Awareness Month presen- The importance o f screening for colon cancer is the message o f Multnomah County commission-
Because her type of cancer can grow
tation before the Board of County ers and public health officials. Pictured inside a “Strollin Colon" traveling exhibit to build aware-
back quickly, her follow-up care has
Commissioners.
ness on the heath care issue are presenters Matthew Conrad, Tami Mahrt, Tom Foeller, Kent
required exams every three months
The event included an interac- Johns, LaRisha Baker, Marsha Baker and Dr. Mike Whiteford.
fo r a tw o -y e a r p erio d and a
five exhibit about colorectal cancer women, colorectal cancer is the sec-
Colorectal cancer screening, in- when treatment often leads to a cure
colonoscopy each year. She has
„
_ _ ence Cancer Center and ond leading cause of cancer-related eluding a colonoscopy, finds ab
The Centers for Disease Control recently graduated to an exam once
Sanofi Oncology.
deaths in Multnomah County and normal growths called polyps in the
and Prevention recommends regu each year and a colonoscopy every
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the across the nation, according to the colon before they can turn into can
lar colorectal cancer screening for three years.
colon (large intestine) and rectum. Multnomah County Health Depart- cer. Screening also helps find
those 50 to 75 years of age.
“It was a miracle that I went in
O f cancers that affect both men and ment.
colorectal cancer at an early stage,
A t the b o ard p re se n ta tio n , when I did,” Mahrt says. “I’ve had
LaRisha and Marsha Baker, co two doctors tell me that I would not
fo u n d ers o f the S tev e B ak er be alive today if they hadn’t found
Tell us what you think: Regional planning 45-day comment period
Colorectal Cancer Alliance, joined and removed the cancer when they
Our decisions today will determine the future o f the region for generations to come.
Tom Foeller, an advocate and did.”
Climate Smart Communities Scenarios
Previous generations have laid the groundwork for
colorectal cancer survivor, and Dr.
The Oregon Legislature has required the
The Centers for Disease Control
us,
but
we
must
decide
how
we
will
move
forward
Portland metropolitan region to reduce per
Mark Whiteford, director of the states that recommended screen
to meet new challenges and opportunities. Metro is
capita greenhouse gas emissions from cars
Providence colorectal surgery pro ings could prevent up to 60 percent
asking residents across the region if we are on the right gram and director at the Oregon
and small trucks by 2035. Your thoughts
of all deaths from colorectal cancer.
will help shape a draft recommendation
track and how you want the region to look in 20 years.
Clinic, in urging people to undergo
According to the American Can
that will be considered this fall.
a colonoscopy before symptoms cer Society, most colorectal cancers
Visit www.oregonmetro.gov/participate
2014 Regional Transportation Plan
occur.
Friday, March 21 through Monday, May 5.
occur in people without a family
(RTP) I he Rl P is the long-term blueprint
“We could cure colon cancer in history of colorectal cancer. Still, as
to guide transportation investments
about 85 percent of patients if we all many as one in five people who
throughout the region. The 2014 RTP
update compiles elements of adopted
got p ro p e r s c re e n in g ,” Dr. develop colorectal cancer have other
transportation plans of cities and counties
Whiteford said.
family members who have been af
across the region and includes priority
Metro has prepared the 2 0 14 RTP and 2014-IX MTIP as required
C om m issioner L oretta Smith fected by this disease. People with
projects, safety recommendations, an
by federal law. The documents are available for public review and
brought
forward the proclamation. a history of colorectal cancer in one
active transportation plan and freight
comment through this comment period. Download the documents
C hair M arissa M adrigal ’ s m other or more first-degree relatives (par
updates.
at www.oregonmetro.gov/rtp and www.oregonmetro.gov/mtip or
survived co lo rectal can cer 14 ents, siblings, or children) are at
call 503-797-1776 to request copies. Metro’s public participation
2015-18 M etropolitan Transportation
process for the 2014-18 MTIP is designed to satisfy SMART’S regional
years ago. Com m issioner Diane increased risk.
Im provem ent Program (MTIP) The
coordination
requirements
for
the
program
of
projects.
M cKeel thanked them saying that
M IIP is a four-year schedule of the
Mahrt says she had a biological
March 21 through May 5, submit comments online, by mail to Metro
spending of federal transportation
she regularly was screened after aunt who died of colorectal cancer,
Planning, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232, by email to rtp@
money and state and local funds in the
her own father had died o f colon but she never considered that as
oregonmerro.gov
or by phone at 503-797-1750 or TDD 503-797-
metropolitan region. It also demonstrates
cancer at 51.
adding to her risk. Mahrt says be
1804.
how MTIP projects comply with federal
“It
is
so,
so
important
for
every
cause of this increased risk, her son,
regulations regarding eligibility, air quality
The Metro Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and take
one
to
have
those
colonoscopies
impacts, environmental justice and public
Matthew Conrad, will need to be
preliminary action on the RTP 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at Metro
involvement.
done,” McKeel said.
Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland.
screened once he turns 40 in six
After turning 50, Tami Mahrt told years.
the board that knew she was due for
“I’m happy to tell my story, be
Esta es una notificación de su oportunidad para comentar sobre las prioridades de transporte en la región. Para recibir
a
colonoscopy,
a
procedure
where
cause I wouldn’t be here without
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a long, flexible tube with a tiny cam having had my co lo n o sco p y ,”
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of the entire colon. Like many people, compared to the surgery and fol
she put off scheduling the proce low-up tests, “none of which are
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dure.
pleasant.”
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Metro