Early Detection

By: Cari Herington, NCC Executive Director

Working my way towards that big 5-0 birthday in 2018, I knew darn well that a colonoscopy was in my future. I had been diligent about mammograms, so why not a colonoscopy? Most of us don't talk about our colons as readily as we might about other body parts...and we tend to make lots of silly excuses to avoid this particular type of cancer screening, even though we know it is really important.

Guest blogger: UNR Student Dana Getreu

The truth about our moles and why it’s important for yearly skin cancer checks.

Yearly physicals are encouraged for all ages. Some experts would argue they become more important as we get older. Sometimes what is left out of a physical can be a skin cancer screening. What is a skin cancer check, and why is it important?

Prepping for colonoscopy is dreaded by many, and for some is a barrier to screening. However, once the bowel prep is complete the procedure is relatively simple for those undergoing the exam. And, gastroenterologists stress that good bowel prep is essential so that they can clearly see any abnormalities in the colon during the exam.

In May 2018 American Cancer Society released an updated guideline for colorectal cancer screening. The new recommendation says regular screening should start at age 45 for individuals at average risk for developing colon cancer. Current guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say regular screening should start at age 50 for those at average risk.

Carson Tahoe Breast Center was recently selected as the only provider in Nevada, and one of only 131 worldwide, to participate in the prestigious Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST). Led by Dr. Kinsey Pillsbury, Medical Director at Carson Tahoe Breast Center, this innovative program will offer new advancements, opportunities, and expertise in the early detection of breast cancer. Since opening the comprehensive Breast Center in August 2016, over 10,000 women have accessed the facility for preventive and diagnostic care.

Our Clinical Liaison project is ready to go -- as soon as we bring on someone to fill the shoes!

We all know it’s coming…the onslaught of pink for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  As the #2 cancer killer among women, just behind lung cancer and edging out colorectal cancer, it’s an area with a lot of resources and information available. If you’re prepping ahead for October, here are some updates for you:

Mammovan

If you work in primary care in a role where you'd refer women for breast cancer screening then we invite you to take the Nevada Breast Cancer Screening Survey, open through June 8. Providers  that should take the survey include primary care doctors in internal, family and general practice medicine, OB/GYNs, PAs, APRNs, and similar.

As states and the nation transform their health systems, many policymakers are turning to community health workers (CHWs) to tackle some of the most challenging aspects of health improvement, such as facilitating care coordination, enhancing access to community-based services, mitigating the impacts of the social determinants of health, reducing health disparities, and containing costs.