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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2008)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, May 1, 2008 Got polyps? Initiative seeks to boost colorectal cancer screening Got Polyps? That’s the question the Oregon Partner- ship for Cancer Control (OPCC) is asking Oregonians age 50 and older as it launches a statewide effort to increase colorectal cancer screening. This Oregon campaign uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's national Screen for Life educational ma- terials that aim to prevent this deadly disease. “Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in Oregon, but it doesn't have to be,” said Katrina Hedberg, M.D., M.P.H., an epidemiologist with the Oregon Department of Hu- man Services Public Health Di- vision. “Fortunately, we can pre- vent many cases of colorectal cancer through screening for and treating precancerous polyps. Yet fewer than half of Oregoni- ans age 50 and older get screened as recommended.” Hedberg said a screening test is useful only if it gets done. Screening can find and remove pre-cancerous polyps that com- monly form in the colon or rec- tum. Screening also helps de- tect colorectal cancer at an ear- ly stage when it is most treat- able. The exact causes of col- orectal cancer are unknown, but the disease is more likely to occur as people age. Both men and women age 50 and older should talk with their doctor about getting screened. Individuals younger than 50 who have a family his- tory of colorectal cancer may be at increased risk and should talk to their doctor about screening before age 50. High- fat diets, lack of physical activi- ty, drinking alcohol to excess and smoking are thought to play a role in the development of the disease. Health experts caution indi- viduals age 50 and above not to wait for symptoms to occur to get screened. Polyps and col- orectal cancer do not always cause symptoms, especially at first. Additionally, symptoms can be mistaken for other health conditions. Symptoms can include blood in the stool, frequent gas, a change of bow- el habits, pains or indigestion, unexpected weight loss and chronic fatigue. There are several screening tests for colorectal cancer. These include a blood stool test, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema and colonoscopy. The stool test can detect blood in the stool. A sigmoidoscopy uses a lighted tube to find polyps which can be removed at a later time. The barium ene- ma allows for an X-ray of the colon and rectum. A colonos- copy can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, help pay for screen- ing. “When it comes to colorectal cancer, we want to prevent it, treat it and beat it,” said Sue Frymark, R.N., co-chair of the coalition that is coordinating the Oregon's Got Polyps Screen for Life initiative. “Through this campaign we will connect with health care providers, cancer survivors and communities from around the state. Screen- ing does save lives.” The Oregon Partnership for Cancer Control (OPCC) is a coalition of more than 100 or- ganizations with a commitment to reducing the burden of can- cer in the state. The coalition launched Oregon’s first state- wide cancer plan in 2005. The coalition has made increasing screening for colorectal cancer its top priority. More information about this campaign and the coalition is available at the OPCC Web site, http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ cancer/index.shtml. Falling from a boat can be deadly For recreational boaters, a simple fall overboard is the number one boating accident “event” that leads to the most fatalities. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that in 2006, 275 persons died in 721 boating ac- cidents that began with, or in- volved a fall overboard. While some of these accidents in- volved other factors, being able to quickly get back in the boat – without help – isn’t easy, as a BoatU.S. Foundation test of 11 portable boarding ladders re- cently found. “A fall into the water can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly,” said BoatU.S. Foundation President Ruth Wood, “It doesn’t take long for exhaustion or hypothermia to drain the life out of you. Boaters and anglers need to be prepared, especially if you are alone. It can happen to you.” While many larger boats have built-in boarding ladders, the Foundation tested portable models on a 17-foot Boston Whaler, 14-foot Jon boat, and 12-foot rigid-hull inflatable. What follows are five important Please see page 24 Will you know how to handle the stress if you lose your job? It isn’t news that our nation’s economy currently has many problems, problems that are re- sulting in rising unemployment rates in most parts of the na- tion. Losing a job is a traumatic experience, one that can affect each of us in different ways and to different degrees. Being laid off from a company where you’ve been a long-time em- ployee and viewed your role as vital certainly increases your sense of loss. Other factors, such as your age, education, skills, the local job market and your family’s need for that pay- check, can also increase stress levels. Increased and prolonged stress can easily put your phys- Vote Joe Corsiglia for County Commissioner Position 1 ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ Paid for by The Committee to Re-elect Joe Corsiglia ical and mental well-being at risk. That’s why it’s important to do all you can to cope with job loss if it does occur. In may ways, losing a job is similar to the sense of loss one experiences when a loved one dies or an important relation- ship ends. There’s often a shock and then denial that this is happening to you. What follows is often anger, anger that can be damaging if it leaves you bitter and easily irri- tated, affecting your relation- ships with friends and family. Or you may try, unrealistically, to get back that job that no longer exists, and you can eas- ily experience depression and sadness as you question your worth and abilities. Accepting that such emo- tional reactions are likely, and often necessary in order for you to move on, can enable you to get through them more quickly and less painfully. When you couple that acceptance with an effort to continue living a nor- mal life, it makes moving on much easier. After a job loss, you should avoid major life changes that will increase stress levels. Strive to maintain a normal schedule, to eat healthfully, ex- ercise regularly and maintain normal involvement with family and friends. Understand that job loss can initially be frightening, but it can also be an opportunity for new beginnings. Network with friends and colleagues, and stay open to new possibilities and experiences. Also take advantage of avail- able help. Your employer may be providing employee assis- tance or outplacement counsel- ing. Or you may seek a private counselor specializing in unem- ployment issues and career counseling. Losing a job is a difficult situ- ation, but it’s not the end of the world. Don’t let the stress it can bring overwhelm your life. Source: American Counseling As- sociation State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com
