Recognizing March as National Colorectal Awareness Month, HMG is launching a month-long campaign to remind patients to “screen today and enjoy tomorrow.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, colorectal cancer (among cancers that affect both men and women), is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Yearly, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Month

Schedule your screening today!

Call
1-877-HMG-1213

Colon Cancer Ribbon

“As a physician, I’ve seen those who have benefited from the early detection of what could be a very serious condition. Early detection saves lives. If you’re over 45 or have a risk factor for colon cancer, I encourage you to schedule a life-saving screening,” says HMG President and CEO Scott Fowler, MD.

Who’s at risk?

  • Aged 45 years or older
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • A personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
  • Genetic syndromes, like familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (also known as Lynch syndrome.)

“Colorectal cancer screening saves lives,” says HMG’s Dallas Shone, MD, a gastroenterologist. “It’s been estimated that if everyone who is 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.”

While multiple tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the following:

  • Colonoscopy (every 10 years)
  • High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (every year)
  • Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years)

How do I learn more about this screening?

To learn more about life-saving colon cancer screenings, please choose from the following options.

HMG Patients

If you are an existing HMG primary care patient, the best place to start is with your primary care provider. To find yours, view our listing of primary care locations and phone numbers.
Primary Care Locations

Or, if you know it is time to schedule a colonoscopy, you may also contact one of the following locations for a gastroenterology consult:

Non-HMG Patients

If you are not an HMG primary care patient but would still like to learn more about your colon cancer screening options, please call 1-877-HMG-1213 to talk with one of our new patient customer service representatives.