CVHC to offer forums on colorectal cancer
Dr. Michael Meza will be the featured speaker at a Health Matters public forum
on colorectal cancer on Wednesday, March 12 during National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month. The CRC forum will be held in the Little Flower Room at St.
Theresa’s Catholic Church on Brown and C Street. It will begin at 7 p.m.
Free Fecal Occult Blood Test kits will be distributed to forum participants. They will be processed by the CVHC Lab at no cost. The FOBT kit tests for blood in the stool which can be a sign of colorectal cancer. The test kits provide instructions for use.
“Most cancers can’t be detected until the person develops symptoms, but colorectal cancer is different. If a person has a colonoscopy, early on, the precancerous polyps can easily be removed before they become cancerous,” said Dr. Meza. “It’s an extremely effective way of protecting against CRC. It is a simple procedure. At age 50 people should schedule a colonoscopy, earlier if there is a family history. It could literally save their life.”
According to Idaho’s Cancer Registry, between 1997 & 2006 only about 33.6 % of Clearwater County residents who should have been screened were screened for CRC.
Colonoscopies are performed by Dr. Meza on an outpatient basis at CVH. Last year over 215 were performed. He will bring some of the equipment used during the simple procedure and discuss the preparation process. People always think the prep is so bad, but it’s really not a very negative experience. It has a worse reputation than it deserves, said Meza.
An educational display designed by North Central District Health Department’s Colorectal Cancer Coalition will be available along with a variety of educational handouts and a free DVD that describes the colonoscopy procedure. The goal of the coalition is to increase the number of CRC screenings in District Two.
The American Cancer Society recommends a screening colon-oscopy at age 50 or earlier when there is a family history. Medicare covers several colorectal cancer screening options. The CVHC Business office can assist people with questions about Medicare and private insurance coverage, 476-4555.
Pictured: Dr. Michael Meza demonstrates the video monitor used during a colonoscopy. He will be presenting at a Health Matters public forum on March 12 on colorectal cancer. Free FOBT kits will be distributed and processed by CVHC.