Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - March '25

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

ClevelaNd CliNiC MartiN HealtH News

Colon Cancer Screenings – And for most people, the colon cancer screening age starts • A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• Having a hereditary cancer syndrome like Lynch syndrome
at 45. The current recommendation is mainly for average-risk
When To Start individuals, meaning those who don’t have a family history or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
of colorectal cancer or symptoms. With colorectal cancer, • Your race or ethnic background
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal there are a number of risk factors. Some can be reduced while • Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. others are beyond your control. If you have a strong family history of colorectal cancer,
While the number of overall colorectal cancer-related Risk factors that you can manage include: inflammatory bowel disease or a hereditary cancer syndrome,
deaths has actually been dropping for several decades thanks • Being overweight you’d be considered higher risk and might need to be screened
to more people getting regular colon cancer screenings and • Not exercising regularly before the age of 45.
advances in treatments, colorectal cancer for people under • Too much red or processed meats in your diet Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer
50 has been increasing. Why? Researchers aren’t sure and • Not enough vitamin D in your diet is about 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women. The hope is
are investigating. • Smoking that these newer guidelines will increase screenings and help
So, when should you get a colonoscopy? • Heavy alcohol use identify health issues before they become severe, allowing
Since 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an You should watch out for rectal bleeding, changes in bowel for more effective treatment and better outcomes.
independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention movements (meaning going from having frequent ones to You may be able to schedule a colonoscopy at Cleveland
and evidence-based medicine, recommends that colorectal being constipated or having diarrhea), abdominal pain and Clinic in Stuart or Port St. Lucie without an office visit. Visit
cancer screenings start at age 45, as compared to the prior weight loss. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Colonoscopy to learn more.
recommendation of age 50. a healthcare provider immediately for a diagnosis.
A colonoscopy screening doesn’t only detect cancer but What About People Who Are At Higher Risk Of Colon
it can also help prevent cancer by finding polyps that can be Cancer?
removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer. What makes you high risk? Risk factors that are beyond
At What Age Should You Get Your First Colonoscopy? your control include:
What exactly is a colonoscopy? • Being older
During the procedure, healthcare providers use a flexible • A history of colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer or
camera to look inside your colon and rectum. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

kids CorNer

Smart But Scattered combined with games, scenarios, and videos to illustrate more resilience. By understanding and supporting the

Adolescent Workshop points and practice skills. Students receive written handouts development of these skills, your student can improve their
to keep which summarize the new skills.
ability to navigate the complexities of adolescence and
Developing executive functioning skills is an ongoing prepare for greater independence as they grow into adulthood.
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., process in adolescence, and teens often need instruction to Join us so your student can learn these important skills for
Licensed School improve these areas. Weak executive functioning skills can success.
Psychologist impact academic performance, relationships, and overall Call (561) 625-4125 if you would like to sign up or if you
A parent described her well-being, so interventions like workshops and coaching need school neuropsychological testing for dyslexia, ADHD,
son to me, “Sam is struggling can be helpful if your teen struggles in these areas. autism, or to give you understanding and answers about your
with school and his grades. Adolescents face academic pressures, social dynamics, child. Learn more at www.JimForgan.com/executive.
This year in sixth grade he is and life changes. Teens with strong executive functioning
struggling with the workload, skills can handle uncertainty and stressful situations with
executive functioning, and
expectations of the grade.
The demands are more. I
constantly have to stay on
top of him or he’d be failing.” This mom was describing her
son’s executive functioning weaknesses. He was smart but
scattered. Executive functioning skills are crucial for success
in school, social settings, and everyday life.
This month I am offering an in-person one-day executive
functioning course for students in grades six through nine.
Your student can join us fun, interactive activities to learn
executive functioning skills related to organization, planning,
time management, memory, and attention. The group size
is limited to 12 students. We use classroom instruction

Answer for

Crossword Puzzle