Free colorectal screenings offered at WRH; registration set March 16-17

It’s no secret that rural areas, especially in the Black Belt, have been left behind when it comes to quality health care.

Access to colorectal cancer screening is one of the major concerns to healthcare professionals, but residents in west Alabama are being given the chance to change that.

On March 16 and 17, Whitfield Regional Hospital will host a colorectal cancer awareness event. The goal is to register 60 adults for free colorectal cancer screenings. The screenings will be held at WRH from April 11-15.

The procedures are open to people in Marengo, Sumter, Choctaw, Greene and Hale counties. They are made possible through a collaboration among WRH, UAB Medicine and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. WRH is a member of the UAB Health Systems Affiliates.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It especially impacts African Americans which have the highest rate of any racial group in the country.

The good news is that colorectal cancer is both preventable and treatable. Colonoscopy screening can detect and remove precancerous growths.

“Our region has some of the highest rates of COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and rates of cancer in our country,” said Doug Brewer, the chief executive officer of WRH. “This, coupled with the fact that it is also one of the most medically underserved areas of our country underscores the importance of programs such as the upcoming colonoscopy screening that we are planning in partnership with UAB.”

The awareness event and screenings are the first large scale event by UAB designed to increase awareness of colorectal cancer.

“UAB has been instrumental in helping us better provide care to our regional through telehealth and direct hands-on care for many of these chronic care patients,” said Brewer. “This support has allowed us to begin providing programs and services that have never been offered in this region.”