Baptist Union County hosts colon cancer awareness luncheon March 23rd

In conjunction with Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County will host a luncheon for the community on Wednesday, March 23 at noon at Hillcrest Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 216 Highway 15 South.

Presented by Dr. H.F .Mason and Dr. Perrin Roten, general surgeons with Baptist Medical Group-New Albany Surgical Associates, the event is free to the community, but pre-registration is required by calling Nancy Kidd at 538-2197.

The luncheon will focus on signs and symptoms, proper screening, and prevention.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. The ACS estimates that 95,270 new cases of colon cancer and 39,220 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016.

Additionally, the ACS estimates 6,480 Mississippians will die from colon cancer in 2016 and 16, 680 new cases will be diagnosed.

Early detection is key, and most experts recommend that all adults begin getting colon cancer screenings at age 50, or earlier depending on their individual risk factors.

“Baptist Union County is committed to giving the community the tools needed to maintain optimal health,” said Walter Grace, CEO and administrator of Baptist Union County. “Our physician partners lend their time and expertise to educate the community, and we will continue to provide educational sessions on timely and relevant health topics.”

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County, the recipient of many awards and accolades, was most recently recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the country by the Safecare Group^® in the category for hospitals between 100 and 400 beds. The hospital was awarded the Outstanding Patient Experience Award by Healthgrades and was named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures^® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, in 2012 and 2013. Baptist Union County offers a variety of health care services, including adult and pediatric inpatient services, labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour, newly renovated emergency room. The hospital also offers telemedicine and imaging and laboratory services, including an American College of Radiology-accredited MRI machine.

For more information, contact:

Nancy Kidd

Director of Marketing/Physician Relations

Phone: 662-538-2197

E-mail: nancy.kidd@bmhcc.org