March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Doctors urge those 45 and older to get regular colon cancer screenings

  SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – With March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Prevea Health doctors remind everyone 45-years-old and older to receive regular screenings. Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause of cancer death for women under the age of 50, according to the American Cancer Society’s annual cancer statistics report. These new statistics are of concern as two decades ago colon cancer was the fourth leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

Dr. Marla Wolfert, Prevea gastroenterologist, says colonoscopies are the number one way to detect colon cancer in its early stages. She says by detecting potential precancerous polyps through a colonoscopy, doctors and patients have a better chance of preventing and treating the disease before it spreads or grows.

“When precancerous polyps are discovered early during a screening, our team can utilize minimally invasive procedures and other approaches to remove the cancer,” said Dr. Wolfert. “It’s important for people to know this disease is preventable, especially if the polyps are removed early prior to them fully developing into cancer.”

While many will not have to schedule their first colonoscopy until the age of 45, Dr. Wolfert urges those with a higher risk of developing the disease, or those with a family history of colorectal cancer to talk with their primary care physician about being screened earlier. For those who receive a colonoscopy with clean results, most will not to have to schedule another screening for several years.

“It’s estimated up to one-third of the people diagnosed with colon cancer, before the age of 50, have a family history of the disease,” said Dr. Wolfert. “For this reason, I encourage those with family history of colon cancer to talk to their primary care provider about scheduling a colonoscopy even earlier.”

To schedule a colon cancer screening in Sheboygan with Dr. Wolfert, Dr. Adebisi Alimi or Dr. Michael Heili at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital or the Sheboygan Surgery Center, a referral from a primary care provider is required. You can schedule an appointment with a Prevea primary care provider in Sheboygan by calling (920) 457-4858 or by visiting prevea.com.

For more information about colonoscopies and what a patient should expect from the procedure, visit https://www.prevea.com/colonoscopy.
 
About Prevea Health  
Prevea Health is a community of passionate and accomplished physicians, caregivers and staff working together to provide exceptional health care. Patients have trusted Prevea with their medical care needs since 1996 when the organization was founded in Green Bay, Wis. Today, Prevea provides primary care and a wide range of specialty medical care in clinic, hospital, and workplace settings across Northeast Wisconsin. It is partnered with Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) which operates hospitals in Wisconsin. For more information about Prevea Health, visit www.prevea.com.

About HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital
HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital has been delivering high quality health care to Sheboygan and its surrounding communities since 1890. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services that include cancer care, women’s services, 24-hour emergency care, digestive health, orthopedics, cardiac, home health and hospice care. The hospital’s primary purpose is to continue Christ’s healing love through the delivery of high quality and compassionate health care in an environment sensitive to the needs of all people. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  An affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, we draw on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as we move to continue serving the health care needs of our area in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. To learn more, visit: www.hshs.org/stnicholas.

About Hospital Sisters Health System 
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan healthcare ministry. HSHS provides compassionate, quality healthcare to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable. HSHS operates physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states – Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville, and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org.