Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF COLORECTAL CANCER IN EAU CLAIRE AND CHIPPEWA COUNTIES In March, We Wear Blue Spreading awareness of colorectal cancer is essential to saving lives. Join HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in honoring Colorectal Cancer Awareness this March by wearing blue on Friday, March 3. "Each year, our hospital participates in the Wear Blue event to help expand awareness about colorectal cancer and the power screening colonoscopies have to save lives," says Georgia J. Smith, Executive Director, Cancer Care Services at HSHS Sacred Heart. "Studies show that having a colonoscopy is the most effective tool at preventing colorectal cancer. If you're between the ages of 50 and 75, take charge of your health by getting screened on a routine basis." GO WITH YOUR GUT Ready to take the first step in assessing your risk for colorectal cancer? Visit sacredhearteauclaire.org/ healthaware to take our Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment. COLORECTAL CANCER IS one of the most common types of cancer among American men and women. It is also highly preventable—and up to 90 percent curable if found early enough—which is why HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital hosts events that give community members the awareness and understanding necessary for making detection possible. A JOINT EFFORT A 2014-2015 Eau Claire County Community Health Survey identified cancer and heart disease as leading causes of death in the area. To address our community's needs, HSHS Sacred Heart hosted a Go with Your Gut Feeling event on November 9, 2016, as part of a larger health series focused on decreasing the incidence rates of cancer in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties. "It was a great event with a good turnout," says Kelly Lauscher, Health Educator with 3D Community Health: Body.Mind.Spirit, a service of HSHS Sacred Heart. "One of our hospital's surgeons, Richard Daniels, presented a one-hour session about myths and facts surrounding the disease, and Joslyn Brantner, a registered dietitian from our oncology unit, spoke about various foods that promote sound digestive health, as well as the correlation between healthy eating and minimizing colorectal cancer risks." Using before and after tests, HSHS Sacred Heart was able to gauge that community members who took part in the event and survey showed an overall 5 percent increase in knowledge of colorectal cancer symptoms and identifying increased risk factors. They also demonstrated a nearly 25 percent increase in their understanding of effective dietary changes and the age in which they should get a colorectal screening. "Knowledge truly is power," Lauscher says. "Having an increased awareness of simple things you can do to directly minimize your risk of colorectal cancer is crucial." 4 2 0 1 6 C A N C E R R E P O R T

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