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Page 2 - Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The Sylvania Times
thesy lvaniatimes .com
45 is the New 50":
Taking Action Against
Colorectal Cancer
By: Meg Pace. Special Contributor
As Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, it’s
crucial to bring attention to this common yet preventable
disease. Affecting the colon and rectum, colorectal cancer
stands as a significant health challenge but also one that can
be effectively countered with early detection and treatment.
With recent shifts in screening guidelines and promising
treatment advancements, there's a crucial message for
adults nationwide: early detection can save lives.
A striking statistic from the American Cancer Society
highlights the urgency: an estimated 151,030 Americans
will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024. However,
the tide is turning against this disease, thanks to enhanced
screening techniques and heightened public awareness.
Early Screening: A Game-Changer
The recent change in screening guidelines is a game-
changer. "45 is the new 50" isn't just a catchphrase; it's
a lifesaving shift in medical advice. The U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that
individuals at average risk start colorectal cancer screenings
at age 45, five years earlier than the previous standard. This
change could lead to earlier detection and significantly
improved outcomes.
Colonoscopies, the gold standard in colorectal cancer
screening, are more than diagnostic tools; they're preventive
measures. By identifying and removing precancerous
polyps, colonoscopies can stop cancer before it starts. It’s
a process that’s safe, effective, and, with modem sedation
techniques, easier to undergo than many realize.
Know the Signs
While early-stage colorectal cancer may not cause
symptoms, certain signs should prompt immediate
attention:
• Changes in bowel habits lasting more than a few
days
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort
• A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty
completely
• Unexplained weight loss
Lifestyle Matters
While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices are pivotal
in colorectal cancer risk. A diet low in processed meats
and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular
exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limited alcohol
consumption, and avoiding tobacco can all contribute to
reducea risk.
Treatment Tailored to You
For those diagnosed, treatment options are more
personalized and effective than ever, ranging from surgery
and radiation to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Early
detection means more options and better outcomes.
Taking Action
This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, consider this
your nudge to take control of your health. If you’re 45 or
older, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, it's time
to talk to your healthcare provider about screening. Early
detection is your most powerful tool in the fight against
colorectal cancer. Remember, in the battle for your health,
"45 is the new 50" could be the difference-maker.
For more information contact your primary care doctor.
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Lisenby Speaks to the
Brier Creek Chapter
By Dess Smith. Special Contributor
The Brier Creek Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the
American Revolution, held its monthly meeting, Thursday
night, February 1, 2024, at Walls Diner in Sylvania at
7:00. With President Wayne Howard presiding, we had
22 in attendance. After the prayer, the U.S. Flag Pledge
of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Sons of the American
Revolution, Compatriot Dess Smith III introduced our
speaker for the evening, Mike Lisenby. Mike is a retired
lawyer that lives with his wife Nancy in Swainsboro.
Mike's presentation was on "The U.S. Constitution".
After our program. Vice President Lee Herron gave us
a report on the progress of the 250th Anniversary of the
American Revolution Georgia Tag through the Senate
and the Legislature. Senator Max Bums is heading up
Senate Bill 369 and hopefully it will make it through the
House of Representatives and on the Governor's desk for
his signature by the end of the second week of February.
Compatriot Lee also gave us an update on the Chapter Flag
Streamers that were presented to the Brier Creek Chapter at
the Georgia Society's Annual Conference on January 26-27,
2024, at the Sonesta Hotel in Duluth, GA. The Streamers
are in the mail, and we should have them by our March
meeting. Compatriot Lee also reminded everyone about
our March 1st Education Day and the 245th Anniversary
Brier Creek Battlefield Event on March 1st & 2nd at the
Battlefield.
Mike Lisenby
Screven County Memorial
Park wins Beauty Spot of
the month
By Patricia Parr, Special Contributor
The Screven County Garden Club met on January 23,
2024, at 3 p.m. at the Cail Community Center. There were
15 members present. We also welcomed Carol Counts and
Linda Newton as visitors. Hostesses Vivian Forehand and
Katherine Weeks served refreshments before the meeting.
President Joni Thompson called the meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Henrilyn
Cleland read the Club Collect.
For the program, the hostesses had a lovely centerpiece
of assorted plants and shrubs. The club members wrote
down all plants that they could identify. Several members
identified all of them. The hostesses gave each member a
pair of garden gloves.
Carol Counts won the door prize.
The Beauty Spot of the month is the Screven County
Memorial Park in downtown Sylvania, Ga.
The February meeting will be held at 3 PM on February
27, 2024 at the Cail Community Center.
Dr. Sidney J. Morgan
Optim Primary Care
The Achy
Breaky
Heart
Heart disease, often dubbed the "silent killer," is a
leading cause of mortality worldwide. Evaluating heart
health is crucial for timely intervention and prevention
of adverse outcomes.
Risk Assessment: The evaluation typically begins
with an assessment of risk factors. These include age,
gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and sedentary
lifestyle. Individuals with multiple risk factors are at a
higher risk of developing heart disease.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is a non-
invasive test that records the electrical activity of the
heart. It can detect abnormal heart rhythms, evidence
of a previous heart attack, and signs of inadequate
blood flow to the heart muscle.
Echocardiography: This imaging test uses sound
waves to create a moving picture of the heart. It
provides valuable information about the size, shape,
and function of the heart chambers, as well as the
thickness and movement of the heart muscle.
Stress Testing: Stress testing evaluates how the heart
performs during physical exertion. This can be done
using exercise stress testing on a treadmill or bicycle,
or pharmacological stress testing with medications that
simulate the effects of exercise. It helps in diagnosing
coronary artery disease and assessing overall heart
function.
Cardiac Catheterization: Invasive procedures
like cardiac catheterization may be necessary for a
definitive diagnosis. It involves threading a catheter
through blood vessels to the heart, where contrast dye
is injected to visualize the coronary arteries and assess
for blockages.
Blood Tests: Blood tests can provide valuable
information about heart health. This includes
measuring cholesterol levels, markers of inflammation
(such as C-reactive protein), cardiac enzymes (such as
troponin) to detect heart muscle damage, and other
biomarkers associated with heart disease.
Imaging Studies: Other imaging studies such as CT
scans or MRI may be utilized to further evaluate the
heart and surrounding structures, especially in complex
cases or to assess for congenital heart abnormalities.
An evaluation of heart disease is a multifaceted
process that involves assessing risk factors, symptoms,
performing various tests, and interpreting the results
to guide management strategies. Early detection and
intervention are key to preventing complications and
improving outcomes in individuals with heart disease.
The Sylvania Times
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COLORECTAL CANCER is the 2nd leading
cause of cancer deaths in US. It is also one
of the few cancers that can be prevented
through screening! Get screened today!
CALL 912.303.7533 TO SCHEDULE
YOUR SCREENING WITH DR. MORGAN!
(Tj optim primary care
