423-757-0737
Education,
Outreach & Rump Run!
From health fairs to our annual Rump Run 5K, GCCCF strives to be visible around the Greater Chattanooga area reminding everyone that colonoscopies save lives.
Our 30 foot inflatable colon provides an interactive experience for visitors to learn more about their colon and the signs of colorectal cancer. If you'd like us to join your event, please let us know.
Interested in sponsoring Rump Run 2023? Click here.
45 is the new 50
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy beginning at age 45 years and continuing until age 75 years.
People at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin screening at a younger age, and may need to be tested more frequently. The decision to be screened after age 75 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, ask your doctor if you should be screened. For more information, read the current colorectal cancer screening guidelines from the USPSTF.
Recommended screening tests and intervals are—
High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which checks for hidden blood in three consecutive stool samples, should be done every year.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, where physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope) to look at the interior walls of the rectum and part of the colon, should be done every five years with FOBT every three years.
Colonoscopy, where physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) to look at the interior walls of the rectum and the entire colon, should be done every 10 years. During this procedure, samples of tissue may be collected for closer examination, or polyps may be removed. Colonoscopies can be used as screening tests or as follow-up diagnostic tools when the results of another screening test are positive. Colonoscopy also is used as a diagnostic test when a person has symptoms, and it can be used as a follow-up test when the results of another colorectal cancer screening test are unclear or abnormal
source: CDC.gov
Resources
Are you Uninsured?
We collaborate with several community partners so if you're UNINSURED, you've got options!
Volunteers in Medicine, Chattanooga, Inc. (VIM Chattanooga) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) primary care clinic. Volunteer physicians and nurses provide free medical services to financially eligible adults who are uninsured. VIM is a primary care service and can refer you to a specialist at Project Access if needed.
Project Access was created to help uninsured individuals get the health care they need by linking local physicians, hospitals, and local health clinics that agree to donate their services to the individuals and families in need of health care services. If you live outside Hamilton County, call your local Health Department to find out about resources like Project Access in your area.