We get it, talking about our colon is not everyday conversation. But your colon serves a vital function and when it’s not healthy, all kinds of issues can happen. One of those is colon cancer. Screening is so important and can usually be treated if it’s caught early. Yearly wellness exams are a great way to start, making it easier to find issues, treat them, and keep you healthy. Many times, early-stage colon cancer has no symptoms, so everyone 45 and older should get a yearly exam and do a test. 

Colon cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum that invades nearby tissues or other organs. It normally begins as a polyp (a small growth). While not all polyps are cancerous, some can become cancerous if left untreated.

 

Colorectal cancer symptoms:

Some of these symptoms can be due to other conditions, but having any of them is a good reason to make an appointment with one of our Health Centers for an exam.

• Change in bowel habits for more than a few days, and not from other illnesses (like going more often or less often)
• The feeling that you need to have a bowel movement, but it’s not relieved by doing so
• Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
• Blood in your stool
• Cramping or belly pain
• Fatigue and weakness
• Unintentional weight loss

 

What is Cologuard?

Our team uses the Cologuard test for some of our patients. It’s easy, painless, convenient, and used as an early screening tool. 

• This test is easy to use and can be done from home, no waiting in the office until you need to use the bathroom. 
• It can detect abnormal DNA and blood in the stool sample. 
• There is no required prep.

Could it really get any easier than that??

 

How the Process Works:

You might have questions about how you can use the test and how to assess your colon cancer risks. Our medical team is here for you and your health. We will do everything possible to make the process easy and helpful.

• Step 1: Make and complete an office visit with one of our medical providers: 740-399-8008.
• Step 2: The provider will assess your risk for colon cancer with an exam and by asking you a series of standard screening questions.
• Step 3: If you are at average risk (from AARP.org: asymptomatic and have no personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, no family history of colorectal neoplasia, no inflammatory bowel disease or no unexplained anemia; and Cologuard (test) says you need to be 45 and older), then we can prescribe the Cologuard at-home testing kit.
• Step 4: Collect the sample in the comfort of your own home and ship it off for testing.
• Step 5: Our dedicated staff will contact you with the results. If the results are normal, there is no additional follow-up except for completing your annual wellness exams. If the results are positive (which means there were some abnormal cells found in the sample) then our staff will walk you through setting up the next steps for further diagnostic testing, which could include a colonoscopy. 

 

How to Use the Cologuard Home Test:

This test is easy to use.

• After receiving your test, unpack it.
• Place the sample container into the enclosed toilet bracket. 
• Use the bathroom and collect the sample.
• Scrape the sample and fill the sample container with the sample + provided preservative solution. 
• Use the prepaid UPS® label and ship it back ASAP.

It’s that simple.

 

We are here and we care about the whole you! Contact us by calling 740-399-8008 to make an appointment at one of our Health Center locations.

 

Main Site - Knox County Community Health Center

11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon

 

Moore Family Practice

206 South Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon

 

Danville Community Health Center

12 East Main Street, Danville

Updated: 6/27/23