March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. And yet, this need not be the case. Studies show if everyone age 45 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
In recognition of the month, the First Choice Healthcare Clinics are offering free Home FIT tests available to local residents aged 45-75. The free FIT Tests are available at their clinics in Kewanee 309-852-5272; and Toulon 309-852-3115. Call for more information or stop by any location 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for your free FIT test. First Choice Healthcare also offers digital and clinical exams by their family nurse practitioners.
To better inform the public about this deadly disease the staff of First Choice Healthcare offers the following facts on colorectal cancer. colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short.
Who gets colorectal cancer?
Both men and women can get colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is most often found in people 50 and older. Therefore, the risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age.
Are you at high risk?
Your risk of colorectal cancer may be higher than average if: you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or you have inflammatory bowel disease. People at high risk for colorectal cancer may need earlier or more frequent tests than other people. Talk with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.
If you’re 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here’s how:
● Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum.
A polyp is a growth that shouldn’t be there.
● Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
● Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
● Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.
People who have polyps or colorectal cancer sometimes don’t have symptoms, especially at first. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Some people with colorectal polyps or cancer do have symptoms. They may include:
● Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
● Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach that happen a lot and you don’t know why.
● A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual.
● Losing weight and you don’t know why.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider. These symptoms may also be caused by something other than cancer. However, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee at 309-852-5272; or Toulon at 309-852-3115 or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or First Choice Healthcare, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
The Henry and Stark County Health Department WIC – Women, Infants and Children Food Supplemental program staff note that March has been designated National Nutrition Month. March is a great time to remind local residents that the WIC program promotes the health of local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “face to face” appointments and services delivery. They do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services supervisor with the health department, said, “We are thrilled to once again have the chance to offer these important and vital family services directly to our participants. In addition, we remind everyone that the New Illinois WIC EBT card is available to all WIC participants! This makes WIC services even more easy for area families to use.”
All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT card with all the food benefits on this one card: no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with their WIC staff.
The Health Department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours in order to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits are available to eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
Aldred said, “We are so excited about this new WIC EBT card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the food they need when they need them.”
The Health Department WIC staff promotes healthy pregnancies, babies, children and families through their services. The WIC Supplemental Food Program offers supplemental foods and nutrition education to residents who meet certain nutrition and economic guidelines. In addition, clients may receive healthy food items such as milk, formula, eggs, and cereal, fruits, vegetables, juices, whole grain breads and tortillas.
For more information on the Department’s WIC services call the Health Department at Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-401; Marshall County 309-246-8074; Putnam County 815-872-2324 or visit their website or apply here.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare announce that Sunday, March 8 has been designated International Women’s Day.
RaeAnn Tucker, health department director of Health Promotion, said, “The goal of Women’s Day is to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The Health Department and First Choice Healthcare also want to use this special day to empower women to make their health a priority.”
The Health Department hopes to raise awareness of the women’s health services available at their First Choice Healthcare locations. The First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Toulon offer area women such services as annual exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling and supplies, clinical breast exams, fasting blood profiles and immunizations. Payment for Health Department and First Choice Healthcare services include Medicaid, some grant funding and most insurances.
“Every woman should have access to affordable health care services. We encourage local women to take advantage of the savings offered through our First Choice Healthcare Clinics.” said Tucker.
To find out more about the First Choice Healthcare Clinic’s health services for women call the location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; or Toulon 309- 852-3115 or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
Uptown Vapors, 1325 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo, Ill.
Friday, March 6
Noon -3 p.m.
I-80 Café, 1356 Cleveland Rd., Colona, Ill.
Monday, March 9
9-11 a.m.
Chance’s Unique & Collectables, 104 S. State St., Geneseo, Ill.
Tuesday, March 10
10 a.m. -1p.m.
Briggs Bistro, 119 W. Exchange St., Cambridge, Ill.
Monday, March 23
11 a.m.-1p.m.
“Get Covered Illinois” Navigators can help you:
● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual open enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, SEP. The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a
Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event is a life change, such as:
Loss of Health Coverage, due to:
● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors or Health Benefits For Immigrants Adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage
Other Qualifying Life Events include:
● Getting Married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US Citizen
● Leaving incarceration.
For more information on this Get Covered Illinois Navigator Event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare Clinics will hold their “12 Communities, 12 Months” event for March with a special outreach display on Friday, March 20 from 8 -10 a.m. at the Cash Cow Coffee Shop, 18 13th Ave., Orion, Ill.
Their staff will offer the public: Free FIT Home test for colorectal cancer screening; free acceptance and disposal of home expired or unused medications; and free blood pressure checks. There will also be free giveaways and health information. In addition, their Get Covered Illinois Insurance Navigator will be available.
Click here for instructions regarding expired/unused medication and sharps disposal for this event:
RaeAnn Tucker, director of Health Promotion with the health department said, “We believe this is going to be a wonderful event as there will be something for everyone interested in getting some great information, taking advantage of free giveaways, promotions, and just partaking in a pleasant time visiting and talking with our staff. The Health Department and First Choice Healthcare are happy to have this year-long opportunity to showcase the many programs and services available to our area residents and families.”
For more information about the “12 Communities, 12 Months” promotions and events call the Health Department at 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
