The American Cancer Society declares that colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer, often referred to as Colon Cancer.  A Colonoscopy is the most common screening exam for this purpose.  During a colonoscopy, your doctor uses a flexible tube (called a colonoscope) with a camera light on the end that projects images of the colon onto a TV screen.   Visualizing the colon in this manner allows the surgeon to remove small polyps or samples of tissue through the colonoscope. Over time some polyps could become cancer. If your doctor sees a large polyp, a tumor, or anything else abnormal, a biopsy will be done. For the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is taken out, also through the colonoscope.  It is then sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope for cancer or pre-cancer cells.  Removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer from ever starting.  According to the American Cancer Society, 9 out of 10 people whose colon cancer is discovered early will be alive 5 years later, and a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute determined that the five-year survival rate for victims of Stage 1 Colon Cancer is an astonishing 93%.   Even more remarkable is that many of these survivors will live a normal life span!

Many say the worst part of the procedure is the “prep” the day before the exam.  You are instructed to follow a clear liquid diet and drink a special laxative, which does require you to stay close to the toilet.  For the procedure, you will receive IV (intravenous) medication that makes you sleepy.  Some sleep the whole way through the procedure, some are more aware of their surroundings, even with the medication.  There should not be any pain, but may be some discomfort which is due to air that is put into your colon through the scope which allows better visualization of the colon wall.  

 Unfortunately, too often people don’t get this procedure done when they need to due to a variety of reasons.  False information and fear of the outcome are two main reasons people choose not to have the test.  Cancer can grow and spread without being noticed, like a silent invader. In many cases, by the time people have any symptoms the cancer is very advanced.

Not everyone needs a colonoscopy at the same age or time of life.  There are many reasons and indications that may indicate that a person should have the procedure.  History of colon cancer in a family member is one of the most important reasons why a person should have a colonoscopy.  Some people may need a colonoscopy due to signs and symptoms they are experiencing themselves, such as blood in their stool, anemia, unexplained weight loss, or unexplained changes in their bowels.  Your doctor can help you decide when and how often you need this test.  It is usually once every 10 years beginning at age 50, depending on your personal risk for colon cancer. It's important for people to talk with their doctor to understand their risk for colon cancer, the guidelines they should follow for testing, and whether they need to start being tested at age 50 or earlier.

Lisbon Area Health Services volunteers, who share their time and many talents to make a difference in our community, are being honored during National Volunteer Week. Lisbon Area Health Services will host a special Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, April 13^th at The Lisbon Eagles Club.

Lisbon Area Health Services volunteers encourage all of us to get involved in helping to strengthen our community.  It’s easy to overlook the importance of volunteers because they rarely sing their own praises; yet they change so many lives.

The volunteers are members from Lisbon and surrounding communities that give their time and talents for the benefit of our patients and residents at Lisbon Area Health Services.  These special individuals help out with numerous activities including helping residents play bingo, monthly suppers, or the monthly birthday parties.  Their kindness is shown in more personal ways too by taking time to visit residents and help them to read and write letters.  They donate food items for special events, and help raise money for special projects.  Money raised throughout the year is donated back to the facilities to purchase needed items.

The time and dedication volunteers put forth often goes unnoticed, but our volunteers are a very important asset to our facility.  We are very proud and fortunate to have them part of our community.  We can’t thank them enough for all their support.

Hopefully National Volunteer Week will inspire others to become volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Lisbon Area Health Services call the 701-683-5241 for more information.

Lisbon Area Health Services has implemented a new Marketing Plan for the facility. We Can. We Care. Will be implemented over the next few weeks in the local newspaper, the local radio station, local area church bulletins, and in the facility.

The campaign will be focusing on what we can do, right here in Lisbon. We are close to home, accessible and convenient, yet many local residents go to Fargo for care. Area residents don,t know to ask to have a particular medical procedure or test done here.

We'll Promote the Hospital Overall, We'll Build Awareness for Rehab and Recovery Services, and We'll Promote Our Imaging Services.

Spread the Word!

          We're close to home,

                        We're convenient,

                                    We're accessible andˇ­

                                        We can do it right here at Lisbon

Lisbon Area Health Services will host a Fall Gala on Friday, November 13^th at the Expo Center on the Ransom County Fairgrounds.

The event will begin at 6:00pm with a social hour and dinner will be served at 7pm. Carnivore Catering out of North Dakota State University is catering the dinner. This event also includes a raffle, both a silent and live auction, and a dance with the band “Betty Does”

This event is open to everyone and the attire will range from jeans to dress clothes. The proceeds from this event will go towards the start up of a local foundation for the hospital, and sleeper chairs for the hospital and swingbed rooms.

Yolanda Hock has been named the newly formed foundation Director.

Tickets are available at Lisbon Area Health Services or Lisbon Oakes Area Home Care at 417 Main Street in Lisbon.

If anyone would like to donate items for the auction, the items can be dropped off at the hospital.

Lisbon Area Health Services is one of 35 rural hospitals to receive grant dollars from the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences through a program called Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP).

The SHIP grant is federally funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy with an objective to support small hospitals in providing quality care and ensure privacy of patient health information.