According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Colorectal cancer screenings can detect cancer at an early stage, when treatment is usually less extensive and more successful. Don’t let COVID-19 get in the way of your colorectal cancer screening. We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and are carefully following all Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. We feel confident in our ability to continue seeing patients at our center while providing high-quality health care. Click HERE to read more about the importance of scheduling your screening.

Don’t let COVID-19 get in the way of your colorectal cancer screening. Our center has taken the proper precautions to ensure safe environments for patients and staff. We recognize the recent increase in COVID-19 cases can cause stress for upcoming appointments and procedures, but putting off your colorectal screening can be detrimental to early detection of colorectal cancer. Read all about the importance of keeping your scheduled colonoscopy, even amidst the ongoing pandemic: https://www.ccalliance.org/screening-prevention/get-screened

Click here to view our center’s COVID Safety protocols.

Medical Office Center I – Carle/BroMenn
1302 Franklin Ave. #1000 Normal, IL 61761
Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 4:30 pm
(309) 268-3400

Please visit this link to view our new “What to Expect” YouTube Video!
https://youtu.be/TDyyV4BbGm0

Masks and face coverings can help us all stay safe. We ask that you wear one when you are in our facility. We are focused on creating the safest environment possible for our patients and our staff!

In an effort to support our national campaign to fight the COVID-19 Pandemic, our center is taking steps to help assure your health and well-being and that of our community. The safety and well-being of our patients continues to be our primary concern. We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 nationally and within our community.

Helpful Resources:
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://health.mcleancountyil.gov/708/CORONAVIRUS-COVID-19

* DDEC now offers a convenient HIPAA compliant, mobile phone texting solution to improve patient communication.
* Features include
* Pre-procedure appointment reminders
* Post procedure check ups
* Real time texting with patients
* Emergency Mass Communication

Simply provide your mobile phone number to receive text messages from DDEC!

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

If you are 50 or older it is time to get screened!

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older.  The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that’s why it’s so important to get screened.  To increase awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center is proudly participating in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you are African American, smoke, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.

Everyone can take these healthy steps to help prevent colorectal cancer:

• Get screened starting at age 50.
• Encourage your family members and friends over age 50 to get screened.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Get plenty of physical activity and eat healthy.

Colorectal Cancer

Preventable, Treatable, Beatable®

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. This year, more than 135,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,200 will die of the disease.

This cancer may be prevented by removing polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) before they become cancerous. Several screening tests detect colorectal cancer early, when it can be easily and successfully treated.

Risk Factors

You might be at an increased risk for colorectal cancer if you:

• Are age 50 or older
• Smoke or use tobacco
• Are overweight or obese, especially if you carry fat around your waist
• Are not physically active
• Drink alcohol in excess (especially if you are a man)
• Eat a lot of red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, or a lot of processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts
• Have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
• Have a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

Symptoms

Early stages of colorectal cancer don’t usually have symptoms. Later on, people may have these symptoms:

• Bleeding from the rectum or blood in or on the stool
• Change in bowel habits
• Stools that are more narrow than usual
• General problems in the abdomen, such as bloating, fullness or cramps
• Diarrhea, constipation or a feeling in the rectum that the bowel movement isn’t quite complete
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Being tired all the time
• Vomiting

Early Detection

• Begin getting screened at age 50.
• If you are a high risk, talk to your health care professional about screening earlier and more often

Prevention

• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week
• Maintain a healthy weight and waist size
• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit
• Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman or two drinks per day if you’re a man
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are good sources of fiber
• Eat less red meat and cut out processed meat
• Get screened according to guidelines

Colorectal Cancer is cancer of the colon and rectum. It is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Information provided by: https://www.healthfinder.gov  /  https://www.preventcancer.org