Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND — The Admiral Beverage Medical Center (ABMC) is partnering with the Wyoming Cancer Coalition for a colon cancer awareness event Monday and Tuesday.

Linda Hausner, registered nurse for ABMC said she suggested the idea because she wanted to bring awareness to colon cancer and other cancers.

As a breast cancer survivor, awareness of the types of cancers that are out there, as well as awareness of screenings that are available for certain cancers is near to her heart, Hausner said.

Next week’s Colon Cancer Awareness event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the open space next to the center in the 700 block of Robertson Avenue.

Hausner said there will be a 12-foot high, 10-foot long and 12-foot wide inflatable colon provided by the Wyoming Cancer Coalition. People can walk through the colon and see what a healthy colon looks like and continue through the colon to see what one looks like that is diseased.

The coalition will have the take-home screening kits available for free to those who participate in the event. “We don’t want to lose anyone because they didn’t get tested,” she said, adding that colon cancer, if caught soon enough can be “curable” and people “can be a cancer survivor.”

The event, she said, is also in memory of Mike Bryant, who passed away last month after a battle with cancer.

There will be drawings for a variety of prizes, including University of Wyoming Cowboys merchandise and a Cowboys football.

Val Walsh-Haines of the WCC Wyoming Cancer Resource Services will be available on both Monday and Tuesday to distribute the free colon cancer screening kits, as well as answer any questions residents may have regarding colon cancer or other cancer-related questions.

Walsh-Haines is the program manager for Region V that includes Washakie, Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Teton counties.

The Wyoming Cancer Resource Services Wyoming Cancer Resource Services is a program that provides communities with cancer prevention and control services including:

—Education and awareness about cancer prevention programs and services as well as related cancer risk factors.

—Promotion of early detection of cancer at intervals

required by national screening guidelines.

—Referral of eligible participants into state-funded cancer screening programs.

—Patient navigation for Wyoming residents needing local, regional, state, and national cancer information and resources.

—Filling service gaps utilizing resources within the communities in the region.

The Wyoming Cancer Coalition is a group of more than 300 Wyoming citizens and supporters working together to promote and implement the Wyoming Cancer Control Plan by coordinating efforts throughout the state. According to a WCC brochure, “WYCC focuses on reducing cancer disparities, increasing awareness of the cancer burden in the state and improving outcomes for cancer patients.”

The five-year Wyoming Cancer Control Plan was published in February 2016 and is available at the WCC website, fightcancerwy.com. The plan includes objectives and goals for hospitals, county or local health departments, community-based organizations, employers, faith-based organizations, schools, health care providers and Wyoming residents.

Action items for Wyoming residents include:

• Stop using tobacco products or never start.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables and maintain a healthy weight.

• Increase your daily physical activity.

• Know when to be screened and do it on schedule.

• Support comprehensive tobacco-free environment policies.

• If diagnosed, consider enrolling in a clinical trial.

• Show your support and care for those who are diagnosed.

• Volunteer with your hospital.