Page 2 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - March 2025

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Attention class of 2025

Just a friendly reminder to high school seniors and their
families that graduation is right around the corner. The
Chehalis Tribe will celebrate our graduating seniors with
a dinner and recognition ceremony. If you are aware of
any community or tribal member that is getting ready
to graduate, please have them get in touch with us to
make sure they are on our list of graduates.

GET IN TOUCH
For assistance or more
information, please contact
JJ Shortman at 360-709-1749
or Jodie Smith at 360-709-1897

SCREENING
From page 1 INFORMATION
knowing your family’s health
history, eating plenty of fresh Start by contacting your
fruit and vegetables, making doctor or health care provider.
sure to get enough physical The American College of
activity and reduction or Gastroenterology website at
cessation of use of commercial gi.org/topics/colorectal-cancer
tobacco and alcohol. has a wealth of information
All youth who attended available. Learn about screening
received a little gift. The raffle options for colorectal cancer and
for two $25 gas cards and two find a gastroenterologist near you.
$200 Fred Meyer cards was
drawn.

COLORECTAL CANCER: YOU CAN PREVENT IT

Physicians from the American prevents Colorectal Cancer before
College of Gastroenterology it can start.
want you to know that screening
colonoscopy can find growths in Age 45 is the right time
the colon called polyps so they can The new recommended age to
be removed before they turn into start screening for colorectal cancer
colorectal cancer. among all average-risk adults is 45.
This is an important change
About colon polyps from earlier guidelines that
A polyp is a small clump of cells recommended starting at age 50
on the lining of the colon. Most for most people and age 45 for
colon polyps are harmless. Some African Americans only. Now “45
colon polyps can develop into is the new 50” to start screening
colorectal cancer, often fatal when for everyone at average risk for
found in its later stages. colorectal cancer.
n Not all polyps turn into
cancer, but all cancers start as Don’t ignore new/worrying symptoms
polyps. Reach out to your health
n Because colon polyps do care providers if regardless of
not usually cause symptoms, your age you have any new or
it is important to have regular worrying symptoms such as
colorectal screenings such as blood in the stool, a change in
colonoscopy. bowel habits, rectal or abdominal
n Remember, screening by pain, or unexpected weight loss,
colonoscopy with polyp removal unexplained or new anemia.