{"id":10641,"date":"2019-04-01T10:23:24","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T14:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/fammed\/?p=10641"},"modified":"2019-04-01T10:28:09","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T14:28:09","slug":"march-2019-patient-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/fammed\/2019\/04\/01\/march-2019-patient-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"March 2019 Patient Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

FMC Hours Update<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Starting March 6th<\/sup>, the FMC will open at 9:00AM on Wednesdays, instead of 8:30AM. This does not affect our Urgent Care Hours, which remain the same. To see a full list of our hours, select here. <\/a><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Talk Health: Screening saves lives <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer of men and women in the United States? Colorectal Cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Most colorectal cancer starts as polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon.<\/p>\n

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Importance of Screening <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don\u2019t always cause\u00a0symptoms,\u00a0especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. Screening improves your chances of finding cancer early, when it is most treatable.<\/p>\n

Many patients are hesitant to get screened, as it requires preparation. Some may fear finding cancer and some patients may feel embarrassed to get the test. On the whole, though, screening is a big step you can take to save a life: your own.<\/p>\n

Who should get screened?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 50 to 75 years old, get\u00a0screened\u00a0for colorectal cancer regularly. If you\u2019re younger than 50 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you\u2019re older than 75, ask your doctor if you should be screened.<\/p>\n

Other risk factors include having:<\/p>\n