BC Hospital says, 'March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, so get your blue on!'

BONNERS FERRY — Did you know colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States? Early detection and regular colon screenings beginning at age 50, or earlier if you are at high risk, can dramatically reduce your risk.

The ASGE (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) reports that only 50% of the people who should be getting colonoscopies actually go out and get them done.

According to Shannon Rust, RN, Outpatient Surgery Manager at Boundary Community Hospital, “Colon cancer is preventable. The problem is that people are uncomfortable talking about colonoscopies, and even more uncomfortable about actually having a colonoscopy. I have had one done and the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure was going without solid food for a day and having to wait until my procedure was done before I could drink my coffee! The bowel preps have come a long way and are so easy now. You no longer have to drink a gallon of chalky, bad-tasting liquid. The prep mixes and dissolves completely in Gatorade…bingo…down the hatch, clear gut, nice nap.”

Colonoscopies and endoscopies are performed Wednesdays at the Hospital by Board Certified general surgeon Nathan Kanning, MD. He performs a wide variety of surgeries and outpatient procedures with a general focus on the abdomen and related organs including hernia repairs, biopsies, colonoscopies, and upper endoscopies.

So the next time your physician recommends a colonoscopy, remember you can get it done here on Wednesdays at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Join Boundary Community Hospital on Friday, March 3rd for Dress in Blue Day to raise awareness that colon screening, research and patient-supported initiatives can eliminate colon cancer from the top three cancer killers for good.

Get Your Blue On!