Have you ever wished for an informal visit outside of the exam room with a doctor about the most appropriate wellness exams for you? Here is your opportunity to talk directly with these specialists about early colon cancer detection and other necessary tests that promote overall wellness, at noon on July 27. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital actively promotes a healthy lifestyle through the Healthy Community program and Spring into Wellness Calendar of Events.
July features an extra special seminar called "Ask the Experts: Screenings that could save your life." Dr. George Benjamin, Dr. Jack D. Alston and Dr. Patrick Schiefelbein will be available for a free roundtable discussion focusing on the importance of early disease detection through regular tests and screening procedures.
As a family practice physician, Dr. Benjamin has spent his life in service to patients. "I recently got a healthy dose of 'physician heal thyself' when an early colonoscopy caught a colon cancer that was progressing rapidly," he said. "But since caught early, surgery and treatment should result in a complete cure. I am so grateful for my fellow physicians for insisting on immediate colonoscopy.
"Wellness screenings that lead to early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely critical for the well-being of all of us," Dr. Benjamin said. "It is also essential to control medicine costs. Accordingly, we are seeing more and more insurance companies and government programs providing wellness screenings at no cost to the patient. We all need to take advantage of these free benefits. Do not put it off. Do it now!"
Dr. Benjamin hopes that sharing his experience will help eliminate the reluctance and fear of colorectal cancer screening. Other cancer survivors will share their stories at the event as well and provide personal testimonials about how a medical screening saved their life.
Being a doctor's wife, Mary Benjamin has always been accustomed to the importance of overall health, but it wasn't until she had a personal experience that she also benefited from early screening detection.
"I feel my life was saved by the fact Dr. Alston was able to locate a precancerous situation and schedule a resection," she said. "That was nine years ago, and my follow up has been excellent with no reoccurrence."
Ask questions you've always wanted to know!
Dr. Schiefelbein joined the medical staff in 2016 and is excited to promote a healthy Siloam Springs community. "The reason I became a surgeon was to help either restore or maintain people's good health," he said. "I am honored to have the ability to serve patients through both correction and prevention of disease processes. I have enjoyed being a part of a community that is extremely friendly and has tremendous potential for growth."
Myths will be debunked and fears eliminated at noon on July 27 inside Siloam Springs Regional Hospital's Classroom 1. The community is invited to attend this free seminar and lunch will be provided. Call 479-215-3124 to reserve your seat.
About Colon Cancer
More than 145,000 new cases of colon cancer have been diagnosed in the U.S. over the past five years, according to the National Cancer Institute. If detected before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent -- but if not caught before this point, the survival rate dips to just 10 percent. It's estimated that as many as 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women ages 50 and older received routine colonoscopy screenings.
One of the most important preventive steps is to get a colonoscopy, a screening test to detect any signs of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a routine colonoscopy screening for all adult men and women beginning at age 50, or earlier if you have specific risk factors.
Your doctor can provide guidance about the right time to begin and the frequency of testing, but industry guidelines suggest that a repeat screening be conducted every 10 years for adults with normal risk.
Depending on your age, a colonoscopy screening may be covered as a "wellness" test under your insurance plan -- and most plans cover a colonoscopy completely as a follow-up test or diagnostic tool. Check with your insurance provider and your provider's office for help in scheduling a screening exam.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission.
Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 30 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care.
SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas. The facility is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.
Community on 07/26/2017