Is It Time for a Colonoscopy?
The following is re-published with permission from Maria Parham Health. It is offered as news in the public interest. It is not a paid advertisement. This is not medical advice. If you would like to view the original story on the MPH web page, please click here.
Do you remember when you used to put on your favorite bell bottoms and disco dance the night away? If you do, then it’s probably time to think about a routine colonoscopy screening. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women, excluding skin cancers. And the vast majority of these cases occur in people 50 and older.
The good news is that the overall incidence of, and death rates associated with, colorectal cancers have been on the decline for more than a decade, thanks in large part to effective colonoscopy screenings that can detect the disease in its early stages.
“Colonoscopies are so important because they can improve our ability to detect colorectal cancer quickly and early, making the disease much more easily treatable” says Dr. Mark Dubinski, Gastroenterologist at Maria Parham Health. “Colonoscopies can also help us identify and remove colorectal polyps before they even become cancerous. The benefits are enormous.”
What are the symptoms?
Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages – another reason that screenings are so important. Still, you should see your doctor if you have any of these warning signs:
Bleeding from the rectum;
Blood in the stool or in the toilet after a bowel movement;
Change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool;
Persistent cramping or discomfort in the lower abdomen;
An urge to have a bowel movement when the bowel is empty;
Constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days;
Decreased appetite;
Nausea or vomiting; and
Unintentional weight loss.
While these symptoms can also be indicative of other health conditions, your doctor can help you get to the root of the issue and determine the underlying cause.
How can I help prevent it?
Colonoscopy screenings are the number one way you can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer since the screenings can help detect the disease early or find polyps before they become cancerous. While the vast majority of new cases occur at age 50 and over, the disease does not discriminate and can happen to men and women at any age.
“We recommend that everyone talk to their doctor about their colorectal cancer risks and discuss when a colonoscopy could be right for them,” Dubinski says.
You can also be proactive in prevention in other ways. Living a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake and eliminating smoking can reduce your risk for colorectal and many other forms of cancer. Knowing your family’s medical history is also important – a history of the disease in your immediate family puts you at a higher risk for the disease.
Contact 800.424.DOCS (3627) to find a physician and take the next steps to schedule your colonoscopy today.
SIDEBAR: What to Expect During a Colonoscopy
Colonoscopies are an easier procedure than many realize. Shortly before the procedure, you will likely be given pain medication and a sedative to minimize discomfort. During the approximately 30-minute procedure, any polyps found will be removed by the doctor and tissue samples will be sent for a biopsy.
Keep in mind that you will be instructed to follow a special diet the day before your procedure and will need to have someone available to take you home afterward.
— courtesy MPH
(MPH is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid advertisement.)
African-American Business Seminar at NVHS 3-23-18
— courtesy Vance County Schools
The African-American Student Union at Northern Vance High School is sponsoring an African-American Business Seminar on Friday, March 23, from 5:45 to 8 p.m. in the media center at the school on Warrenton Road near Henderson.
Anyone may attend the seminar.
There will be four featured speakers for the event. Two speakers are business owners and will discuss their experiences and how entrepreneurship is essential to our community. Two other speakers are motivational speakers and they will focus on how someone can get started on establishing their own business.
Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door on the evening of the event.
For tickets, interested persons may contact Samir Fields at 252-432-0326 or Kwaji Bullock at 252-915-7720.
Two Shot, One Dead, Merriman St.
Two Shot, One Dead, Merriman St
On March 20, 2018, around 11:00 PM, officers with the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Merriman Street. Once on scene officers located a vehicle that had been shot. The occupants of the vehicle received gunshot injuries and were transported to area medical facilities for treatment. One victim, Darrion Richardson, age 23, succumbed to his injuries. The second victim is still receiving treatment for his or her injuries.
We are currently gathering information and investigating this incident in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. We urge members of our community to come forth with any information that may lead to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for this crime and any other heinous crime.
Please contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141, Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or use the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in criminal acts.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Zeb Vance Ruritan Club Boston Butts for Easter 2018
— submitted by Edward Woodlief
The Zeb Vance Ruritan Club will be cooking and selling BOSTON BUTTS for EASTER. Pre-sale only $25.00. Orders must be in by Sunday March 25th . They will be ready for pick-up Good Friday March 30th , from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bearpond Fire Department parking lot at 325 Bearpond Rd. in Henderson. Contact any Ruritan member or phone 252-767-4044.
Proceeds to benefit local student scholarships and club projects.
(WIZS Radio and WIZS.com will be glad to make just such an announcement for your non-profit, church or civic club. Please fill out the form at https://wizs.com/psas/ to have your Public Service Announcement aired and published or email johncharles@wizs.com for more information.)
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Stew 4-7-18
The fine folks and excellent cooks of Union Chapel United Methodist Church are about to cook some more delicious stew.
Edward Woodlief submitted the following announcement:
The Methodist Men of Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 6535 Raleigh Road, are having their Stew Sale, Saturday, April 7. $8.00 per quart. Orders are pre-sell only: You can place your order by phoning John Frazier at 252-438-7788. Stew orders will be ready for pickup at the church in Kittrell from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
(WIZS Radio and WIZS.com will be glad to make just such an announcement for your non-profit, church or civic club. Please fill out the form at https://wizs.com/psas/ to have your Public Service Announcement aired and published or email johncharles@wizs.com for more information.)
Vance County Board of Education Approves School Consolidations
Vance County Board of Education Approves School Consolidations
— The Following is a Press Release from Vance County Schools:
The Vance County Board of Education approved at its March 19 meeting a plan to combine the middle schools and the high schools for the 2018-2019 school year.
With the board’s action, Eaton-Johnson and Henderson middle schools will be combined and serve middle school students in the facility currently housing Northern Vance High School and Northern Vance and Southern Vance high schools will be combined to serve high school students in the facility currently housing Southern Vance High School next school year.
In January, members of the Board of Education directed the superintendent and school system staff members to seek community input on a potential facilities consolidation plan for the current, traditional middle and high schools. Discussion of consolidation became necessary as the result of several years of declining student enrollment across the district and the need to improve the efficiency and financial sustainability of school operations.
Since early January, over 25 meetings have been held with community stakeholders to seek input on the feasibility of combining the schools and their programs. School officials have heard from over 500 people in the local community with their attendance at community conversations, through email responses and an online survey with school system employees.
The feedback received during community meetings has been extremely informative as to what the public expects from its public schools and their services and programs for students. The majority of the feedback from parents, students, school system employees, elected officials, business leaders and local residents has been in favor of combining the schools.
The board is expected to review and approve a detailed implementation plan to accomplish combining the schools at its April meeting.
To address the concerns voiced during the community meetings about school safety, an ad hoc committee from the local community will be established to develop recommendations for board consideration.
“I am pleased with the board’s decision tonight and applaud them for their courage and willingness to do what’s right for students,” Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson said. “We have lots to do. Exciting times and great things are ahead.”
City of Henderson Updates (March 2018)
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire
Garry Daeke, a 13-year member of the Henderson City Council, recently spoke on air with WIZS to answer questions and provide listeners with City of Henderson updates.
Breckenridge Pavilion:
The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.
According to Daeke, the importance of the project has led the City to reexamine best practices to ensure a satisfactory final result.
“We had gotten some initial startup on the pavilion last year and we thought it would be going very quickly, but as we looked at it further, we decided that we really needed to do some landscaping on that lot,” said Daeke. “We decided that we need a landscape architect to give us a layout for the whole activity.”
While no date has been set for estimated completion, the City expects to receive the architect’s layout in the next few weeks.
“It will certainly cost a little more to complete, but we decided that we needed to do this right,” Daeke said.
Former Bank Building in Downtown Henderson:
Daeke said that while a few people have expressed interest in the vacant former bank building in the downtown area, none have been completely willing to follow the building covenants.
“The City really wants to maintain the façade; however, not everyone wanted to maintain the façade or keep the old architecture,” said Daeke.
Additional covenants include maintaining the lobby area of the building and maintaining and utilizing the vault in some way.
The building is currently for sale.
City of Henderson Tax Base:
The City’s tax base has remained stagnant over the past decade, especially in regards to residential growth.
“The tax base hasn’t grown at all like we’d like for it to grow, especially residential. We aren’t building many houses inside the City limits,” Daeke said.
Daeke also sees future potential issues with a stagnant tax base and the City budget. “We have to plan for reoccurring expenses,” said Daeke. “We gave raises [to City employees] last year and we love to be able to do that, but that’s a cost every year down the road. If you don’t have growth, where do you find the money?”
Fire Department:
According to Daeke, the City has known for years that there is a need to realign the two existing fire stations and add a third station.
“Some businesses have come in on both ends of town and wanted to be annexed,” Daeke said. “We did that, but it is a little problematic in that we then stretch our service base. The police and fire department have to respond farther out to the east and the west.”
Currently, a new fire engine is being custom built for the City to the tune of $560,000. The engine takes approximately one year to build and is on the City’s budget for the next fiscal year.
Daeke credits Fire Chief Steve Cordell and his men for doing a great job with the resources they have available, “Chief Cordell does an excellent job with the fire department. We’ve got some excellent young men working there. They are always training and are on spot every time they’re called. We are really proud of them.”
Other Miscellaneous Items:
- The recent inclement weather has delayed the demolition of the former Abagayle’s Books building, but the project is expected to be completed soon.
- The City is currently discussing a redevelopment plan. “We want to layout a redevelopment plan to highlight certain areas where we would like to see growth as well as open it up for investment in other areas,” said Daeke.
- Turnover in the fire departments and police departments is an ongoing concern. According to Daeke, it has become increasingly difficult for the City to compete with neighboring communities such as Wake Forest and their higher pay rates.
- Daeke commends new Henderson Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan, “I think Kaine Riggan is doing a great job. He’s got a lot of experience and a lot of energy. He thinks outside of the box and I’m excited about all of the things he is going to pull together.”
Daeke will be back on the air with WIZS in the next three months to provide additional City of Henderson and Henderson City Council updates.