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Email this articleCommunity outreach brings colon cancer focus to free clinic, hair salons
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By Michaela Gibson Morris
The Colossal Colon is not the only effort to spread the word about colon cancer this March.
"We want to reach as many people as we possibly can," said Carah Edgeworth, certified nurse practitioner with Digestive Health Associates in Tupelo.
With the help of the Lee County Medical Alliance and the Northeast Mississippi Medical Alliance, which both include physicians and their spouses, colon cancer advocates are tackling projects at the Antone Tannahill Good Samaritan Free Clinic and an awareness campaign through area barber shops and salons.
Lee County Medical Alliance coordinator LeeAnne Webb suggested the colon cancer projects to the two groups, said Susan Rish, a member of both organizations.
"Both alliances are working hard to make colon cancer awareness a priority," Rish said.
Throughout March, Lee County Alliance volunteers are helping Free Clinic patients analyze their risk factors for colon cancer and explaining how to use home fecal occult blood tests, Rish said. Appropriate follow-up care will be provided, said clinic director Cindy Sparks.
The weekly sessions are open only to Free Clinic patients, but they serve a group of patients that historically has lacked access to many preventive services.
"It's an area that's much needed," Sparks said.
Building on an existing program which distributes information on prostate cancer to African-American barbers, the Northeast Mississippi Medical Alliance has mailed bundles of information on colon cancer to 150 barber shops and beauty salons around Lee County and neighboring communities.
It may seem counterintuitive to send information about colon cancer out to people who work on heads.
"There's a level of trust," people give those who work on their hair, said Linda Roof, NMMC Cancer Center cancer outcomes manager. "We hope this will be a good avenue," for sharing health information.
Additionally, the barber shops and salons often are segregated by gender, which can make people feel more comfortable talking about "potty issues," Edgeworth said.
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