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Colon Cancer Screening - News

  • DAK holding football and phone during Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.
  • Dak looking pensive during the Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.
  • Dak holding football in front of weights during the during the Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.
  • Image of Dak being filmed for colon cancer screening PSAs.
  • Dak's "Mom" tattoo on left arm during the Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.
  • Dak holding a football during the Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.
  • Dak holding phone with message "Get screened today" during the Colon Cancer Screening PSA shoot.

Colon Cancer

You may not know it, but Mississippi has the second-highest incidence of colorectal cancer in the U.S., for both men and women. The good news, though, is that at least half of all cases could be prevented through regular screening.

 

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the lower part of the digestive system. It begins with small, noncancerous growths called polyps. Polyps can become cancerous over time.

Colon cancer screening can detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer, so screening can help prevent cancer.

Getting screened for colon cancer can stop it before it starts or find it early, when it is most treatable and most curable.

 

Who should get screened?

If you are fifty years old or older, or if you have a family history of colon cancer, you should talk to your family doctor right away about getting screened. He or she can refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist to get the screening done.

For more details

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/information-sheets/colorectal-cancer-health-message

 

About the Dak Prescott Colon Cancer Screening Campaign

To increase the number of Mississippians being screened for colorectal cancer, concerned organizations have come together to create a public service campaign featuring Dak Prescott, the former Mississippi State star quarterback and this year’s NFL Rookie of the Year for the Dallas Cowboys.

As many Mississippians know, Dak’s mother died of colon cancer when he was just a sophomore in college. In these PSAs, Dak shares his story, in the hope of helping others to avoid the pain and loss that he, his mom, and his family endured.

The PSA campaign was developed by the 70 x 2020 Initiative, a consortium of current and retired physicians, faculty at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and other concerned professionals and volunteers, with support from the American Cancer Society and the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

 

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Publications

Publication Number: IS1998

News

Brian Utley, video producer with MSU Extension’s Agricultural Communications, focuses a camera on former MSU football quarterback Dak Prescott in July 2016. Prescott is the face of the 2017 Public Service Announcement campaign for the 70x2020 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative. (Photo by MSU Extension/Kevin Hudson)
Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Health, Colon Cancer Screening February 28, 2017

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Having performed colonoscopies regularly throughout his career, retired gastroenterologist Dr. Sam Pace is experienced in identifying precursors of colorectal cancer.

Although he did not feel any of those symptoms himself in 2011, Pace learned after a routine screening that he had the disease.

"My story is effective when I talk to patients who say they feel fine and nothing is going to happen to them," Pace said. "I felt fine before I found out I had colon cancer. Fortunately, I was screened early enough to treat and survive it."

Filed Under: Health, Colon Cancer Screening March 11, 2016

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Most Mississippians know obesity can lead to diabetes, but they may not realize it can also increase risks of stroke, asthma, arthritis and some cancers.

Ginger Cross, an assistant research professor in the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center, is leading a project designed to promote healthy lifestyles in northeast Mississippi. Key components of the project are awareness and education.

Mississippi State University Extension Service health specialist David Buys signs a pledge to be screened for colorectal cancer in 2015. Other representatives of the MSU Extension Service, Ann Sansing (from left), Theresa Hand and Natasha Haynes, are joining him in the awareness event at the Mississippi Capitol on March 9, 2015. (Submitted photo)
Filed Under: Family, Health, Colon Cancer Screening March 11, 2015

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- When is knowing about a family history of colorectal cancer a good thing?

Clark Roman of Starkville said knowing his family’s increased incidence of colon cancer prompted him to have regular screenings. The result was early diagnosis and a relatively easy treatment. Almost five years after surgery, he is an advocate for people getting screened according to their doctors’ recommendations.

Mississippi State University Extension community health coordinator Ann Sansing reviews some of the Master Health Volunteer educational material with Annie Williams at the one-year anniversary celebration of the John Wesley Health Education Center in Durant, Mississippi, on July 25, 2014. (Photo by MSU Ag Communications/Linda Breazeale)
Filed Under: Community, Leadership, Food and Health, Health, Colon Cancer Screening July 31, 2014

DURANT -- A group project in Holmes County is one small town’s effort to end Mississippi’s national reign as the leader in obesity.

Detra Bishop, pastor of the John Wesley United Methodist Church in Durant, just marked the first anniversary of her church’s Health Education Center. She started the center in March 2013, involving people from other churches and a variety of contributing organizations.

Filed Under: Health, Colon Cancer Screening March 12, 2009

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Recruitment is under way for people to become Smart Aging: Healthy Futures volunteers to help promote healthy living among seniors in their communities.

Training is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on April 1. The session will be at the Lauderdale County Extension office located on the fifth floor of 410 Constitution Ave. in Meridian. The deadline to apply is March 30.

Watch

Get screened over 50 SEC
Extension Stories

Get Screened - over 50 SEC

Monday, February 27, 2017 - 1:15pm
Get screened over 50
Extension Stories

Get Screened - over 50

Monday, February 27, 2017 - 1:15pm
Be there for the ones you love
Extension Stories

Be there for the ones you love

Monday, February 27, 2017 - 1:15pm
Get screened today phone
Extension Stories

Get screened today - phone

Monday, February 27, 2017 - 1:15pm

Listen

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 5:00pm
Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 4:45pm

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