Marquette, MI – (Great Lakes Radio) – March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Steve Rudness, Upper Peninsula Health Plan Clinical Coordinator, joined the Sunny Morning Show today to talk about the agency’s effort to increase awareness and encourage early screening.
Rudness said colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed, but is actually the second leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. and is one of the most preventable forms of cancer due to effectiveness of screening
He also talked about who should get screened, what some of the leading types of colorectal screening options are available, including the colonoscopy procedure, and their effectiveness.
Rudness shared some of the risk factors people should be aware of concerning colorectal cancer, including age and family health history, and he outlined symptoms to watch for, including blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits and a sudden, unexplained weight loss.
He added that the key is to stay in contact with your doctor and make sure you get tested early.
VISIT – The Upper Peninsula Health Plan website for more information.