About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2024)
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. • 2 pc Chicken Snack Box with drink $7.49 • EVERY MONDAY! Entree/2 sides & drink $9.00 Friday’s Seafood Platter With Drink $14.99 SERVING BREAKFAST AND LUNCH! 6 Days a week Breakfast: 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Mon. - Sat.. Lunch: 10 a.m. to 3 pm (Mon. - Fri.) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Saturday’s NEW AT POJO’S! Hot and Ready PIZZA! $2.99 slice $3.99 slice & drink Seafood Buffet every Friday! South Main Street, Sylvania, Ga. (912)564-2175 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 Wo 9 DIl lb© inhere, s® y®im can lb© tlhere, (1®®$ 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
