Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare | Health Scene Winter 2016

4 / 4

DON’T SKIP THIS TEST
FACILITY
EXPANSION
UPDATE
GVMH IS EXCITED to see construction
at the hospital location nearing comple-
tion. Soon patients who visit the Outpa-
tient Treatment Center, imaging, surgery,
endoscopy, or emergency services will be
able to take advantage of the beautiful
new facility that offers more space, con-
venience and new technology.
The first departments will beginmoving
into the new area in March with all depart-
ments moved in by mid-April. Expansion
is an ongoing process at GVMH and upon
completion of the new space we will begin
to see renovation of vacated space within
the hospital. The renovations will continue
through 2016 and on into 2017.
With completion of the facility, patients
will have easy and convenient access
to outpatient services, and the 155 new
parking spaces will give patients quicker
access to the facility entrances. GVMH
staff would like to thank patients and the
community for their ongoing patience
throughout construction.
HEALTH SCENE is
published as a community
service for the friends and
patrons of GOLDEN VALLEY
MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE,
1600 N. Second St.,
Clinton, MO 64735,
telephone 660-885-5511,
website .
Randy S. Wertz
CEO
Information in HEALTH
SCENE comes from a wide
range of medical experts.
If you have any concerns
or questions about
specific content that may
affect your health, please
contact your healthcare
provider.
Models may be used in
photos and illustrations.
2016 © Coffey Communications,
Inc. All rights reserved.
WINTER
2016
healthscene
The health tools at
can help you
know if you’re on the right
track—or
headed in an
unhealthy
direction.
Check
your health
Do you know the best diet for people with
diabetes? Would you recognize the signs of a
heart attack? Find out about these questions
and more at . Choose “Health
Resources” and then “Health Tools.”
IT’S A TEST many people dread, but it
has the potential to save lives. We’re talk-
ing about a colonoscopy, which is used to
screen for colorectal cancer, one of the top
causes of cancer deaths in the U.S.
If you’ve been avoiding this test, here
are some questions and answers about it
that may convince you to give it a try.
{Why should I get one?
}Colonoscopy can find cancer—or
the polyps (abnormal growths) that may
become cancer—early, when treatment is
often most successful.
It also gives your doctor immediate
access to polyps so they can be removed
right away. That’s not true with other co-
lon cancer screening methods, which all
require a follow-up colonoscopy if polyps
or other problems are found.
{When and how often should I
be tested?
COLONOSCOPY
}Screening for people at average risk
of colorectal cancer starts at age 50. If the
first test is clear, get a follow-up one in 10
years. If not, get retested in five years.
People at higher risk, including people
with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or
a strong family history of colon cancer,
should start earlier. Talk with your doc-
tor about your individual screening plan.
{How do I prepare?
}The best results come when the
bowel is clean. For many, that means a
day or two on a clear liquid diet and a
round of strong laxatives the night before
the test. You may also need to take an en-
ema. This prep work is often considered
the worst part of having a colonoscopy.
{How’s it done?
}The patient is given sedatives and
pain medicine. The doctor then inserts a
long, flexible tube into the colon. The tube
is equipped with a tiny light and camera.
Your doctor examines images sent from
inside the colon on a monitor. Any polyps
can be removed with delicate tools in-
serted through the tube.
Most people sleep through the 30- to
60-minute test.
{What happens next?
}You’ll be monitored while the an-
esthesia wears off. You won’t be allowed
to drive home, so arrange transportation
beforehand.
Some test results will be available right
away. Others may take a few days.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute
We l l n e s s
Talk to your doctor
about scheduling a
colonoscopy today.
4 W I N T E R 2 0 1 6
H E A L T H
S C E N E