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 una traducción de la notificación pública completa en español, llame al 503-797-1700 (de 8 a m a 5 p m los días de a long, flexible tube with a tiny cam­ having had my co lo n o sco p y ,” semana). era at the end is inserted into the M ahrt says. She adds that the Dáy lá thóng báo vé c a h$i cúa quy vi duac trlnh báy y kién dói vói các u>u tién vé chuyén cha trong vúng Muón nh£n dirac ban dtch dáy dú cüa thóng báo báng Tiéng V¡ét, xin g X |A i 503 -7 97-1700 ^ £ 2 l< 5 jA jA |2 ( ^ § £ £ 8A| ~ 5A|). international human resources con- good.” Metro