MUSCATINE, Iowa–At the national level, colon cancer receives a lot of attention, as it ranks as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. However, this disease affects people locally as well, with Muscatine County ranking 12th out of Iowa’s 99 counties for the most cases of colon cancer diagnosed annually, which amounts to about 28 new cases each year. Because people who discover they have early stage colon cancers have a vastly higher survival rate than those who find it at later stages, early detection plays a vital role in saving lives. Through an ongoing partnership, UnityPoint Health–Trinity Muscatine Public Health and the Gilda’s Club of the Quad Cities will partner to hold a pair of colon cancer screening workshops April 13 at the Musser Public Library (408 East Second Street in Muscatine) providing information about colon cancer and providing free, at home, non-invasive screening kits.
At the workshops, attendees will gain a good understanding of risk factors for colon cancer, lifestyle changes they can make to lessen their likelihood of developing it, and how early detection can make treating colon cancer significantly more effective. People will also learn about the general screening recommendations for those age 45 or older as well as when screening at a younger age has benefits, such if a person has a family history of colon cancer or has irritable bowel syndrome. Attendees may also ask questions of the presenters, getting expert answers for their own concerns.
Additionally, attendees may pick up a free, non-invasive colon cancer test kit. Through a grant, UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Public Health has received an ongoing supply of free colon cancer test kits. With directions available in both English and Spanish, people simply need to bring the kits home, used the enclosed scraper to collect a small small stool sample, and then used the enclosed prepaid mailer to send it to a lab for analysis. In about two weeks, people will receive their test results either by phone (if they provided a contact number) or by mail. If people receive positive test results, meaning they may have colon cancer, UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Public Health will work with them to help connect them to a primary care provider, if needed, who can order follow up tests to confirm their positive results and refer them to specialists for further treatment.
One of the free at home colon cancer screening kits available from UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Public Health. Photo courtesy UnityPoint Health.
Because early detection of colon cancer has such a profound effect on survival rates, and understanding who needs testing and what options they have makes it more likely that people will receive the screenings they need, Teresa Pangan, a specialist in prevention and wellness strategy at UnityPoint Health–Trinity Muscatine, hopes to see a strong turnout. “We really want people to take charge of their health because colon cancer really doesn’t have any symptoms,” she emphasized.
“We want to emphasize how these at home kits can save lives,” added Christy Roby, director of UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Public Health.
The colon cancer workshops will take place at the Musser Public Library at noon and 6 p.m. on April 13. A walk in event, anyone may attend without preregistering. For those who cannot come to either workshop, UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine Public Health will have free colon cancer screening kits available anytime during their open hours from their location at 1609 Cedar Street in Muscatine.
