Did you know that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month?
And that of all cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It is the third most common cancer in men and in women.*
UNI Urgent Care wants to change this statistic by helping patients prevent colorectal cancer and support healthy GI tracts. For screening, we provide Hemoccult testing. The Hemoccult test detects the presence of occult blood in your stool. Based on these test results, UNI can help with next steps and also refer patients to GI specialists if needed. If you experience a change in stool or simply want to begin the process of screening, UNI Urgent Care is a great place to start.
While colorectal cancer screening is the single most important thing you can do, there are many other steps you can take to increase your chances of prevention and early detection. Generally, living a healthy lifestyle will lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Eating well (veggies, fruits, plant-based foods) will positively affect all areas of your life, including the risk of cancer. Exercising and eliminating alcohol and tobacco are other areas that can help prevent colorectal cancer. A family history of colorectal cancer puts you at an increased risk for the disease, which is why it is also so important to know your family history.**
We know that the threat of colorectal cancer can be scary and daunting, but UNI Urgent Care is here to help support, prevent and initiate the process of ensuring that you are and continue to be cancer free.
*https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/index.htm
**https://www.ccalliance.org/screening-prevention/healthy-living