Are you over age 45?

It’s time for colon cancer screening

Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic

Colon cancer can usually be prevented if early warning signs are found through screening. Most adults are encouraged to get checked starting at age 45. Those with a family history or other risk factors should start sooner. This March, help Chapa-De spread awareness during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Encourage your loved ones to get checked!

Why Getting Checked Matters

• Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States.
• Nearly 90% of colorectal cancer cases and deaths could be prevented through regular cancer screenings and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Screening can find the warning signs of colon and rectal cancer, letting doctors take action to prevent the disease.
• Screening can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment is most effective.

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Learn more about colorectal cancer and prevention awareness by clicking HERE.

Request Screening Today!

Chapa-De patients are encouraged to contact our Quality Department at (530) 823-3276 to request an at-home screening kit.

You can also schedule an appointment with your Chapa-De Medical Provider. Your provider will happily talk with you about screening options, answer your questions, and provide you with an at-home test or order a test at a medical facility.

Types of Screening Tests

Screening tests are very important and normal for adults aged 45 to 75. There are several different types of cancer screening methods. Some can be done at home and others require a medical procedure. Your medical provider can help you decide what type of screening is best for you. 

Stool Tests

• A fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) can detect blood in the stool. It is done once a year. For this test, you receive a test kit from your healthcare provider. At home, you use a stick or brush to obtain a small amount of stool. You return the test kit to the doctor or a lab, where the stool samples are checked for the presence of blood.
• The FIT-DNA test (also referred to as the stool DNA test) combines the FIT with a test that detects changed DNA in the stool. For this test, you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab, where it is checked for altered DNA and for the presence of blood. It is done once every three years.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

• For this test, the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for growths or cancer inside the rectum and lower third of the colon.
• This happens every 5 years, or every 10 years with a FIT every year.

Colonoscopy

• This is similar to flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for growths or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon.
• During the test, the doctor can find and remove most growths and some cancers. Colonoscopy also is used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screening tests.
• This happens every 10 years (for people who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer).

CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)

• Computed tomography (CT) colonography, also called a virtual colonoscopy, uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the entire colon, which are displayed on a computer screen for the doctor to analyze.
• This happens every 5 years.

How Do I Know Which Test is Right for Me?

Each test has pros and cons. We are here to help you make the right decision for you, so do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider to talk through the options!

Typically, which test to use can depend on your preferences, your medical conditions, and if you have any personal or family history of colorectal cancer.

Learn more by clicking HERE.

For more information about Chapa-De, call our Auburn location at (530) 887-2800 or our Grass Valley location at (530) 477-8545 or visit us online at chapa-de.org.

PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.

Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.

Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community Members