Navigation Slider ButtonMENU
Mobile Search Button
NAVIGATION
  • SERVICES
    • Patients
      • Insurance/Accepted Plans
      • Patient Resources
      • Privacy Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
    • Visitors
      • Gift Shop and Cafeteria
    • Community
      • Press
      • Events and Classes
      • Sponsorship Requests
      • Newsletter
    • About Us
      • Employment
        SERVICES
        • COVID-19 Resources and Response
        • Breast Health
        • Cardiac Care
        • Diagnostic Imaging
          • Lung Cancer Screening
        • Emergency Department
        • ENT Procedures
        • Gastroenterology
        • Hematology And Oncology
        • Laboratory Services
        • Neurology Services
        • Occupational Medicine
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Orthopedic Spine Surgery
        • Other Services
        • Podiatry Services
        • SIMPLE + PRICE
        • Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic
        • Surgical Services
        • Urology
        • Vascular Services
        • Women’s Health
        • Women's Diagnostic Services
        • Wound Care
        • Call Us
        • Patient Portal
          • Medical Professionals
          • Pay a Bill
          • Pricing Information
          Search Button
          • Call Us
          • Patient Portal
            • Medical Professionals
            • Pay a Bill
            • Pricing Information
            Heartland Regional Medical Center
            • SERVICES
              • Patients
                • Insurance/Accepted Plans
                • Patient Resources
                • Privacy Policy
                • Privacy Policy
                • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
              • Visitors
                • Gift Shop and Cafeteria
              • Community
                • Press
                • Events and Classes
                • Sponsorship Requests
                • Newsletter
              • About Us
                • Employment
                  {0}
                  Community, Press

                  Press Releases

                  Press Topics

                  Men's Health Month: Making Prevention a Top Priority


                  June is Men’s Health Month, and Father’s Day is this Sunday, a time for men to consider what they are doing to stay healthy. In addition to eating right and exercising, men need to make sure they’re up-to-date on important health screenings like colonoscopies. This month marks the perfect time to encourage the dad’s in your life to focus on health maintenance, preventative care and address common health issues like colon cancer.

                  “We know about 20% of the population between 50 and 80 are at risk for having colon polyps which are precursors for colon cancer,” said Dr. Kevin Claffey, Heartland Regional Board-Certified General Surgeon. “About 80-90 percent of colon cancers start with a polyp.”

                  It’s recommended that an average-risk patient get their first colonoscopy at 50 and repeat every 10 years after that. If there is family history of colon cancer, screening may begin at a younger age.

                  “I’ve probably done over 10,000 colonoscopies in my career,” said Dr. Claffey. “I’ve had the pleasure of helping prevent colon cancer because I’ve found polyps in fairly young people before they turn into cancer.” Even though a colonoscopy can lower your risk of dying from colorectal cancer, many dads are afraid of the procedure.

                  90% of colon cancers are preventable, but only about 50% of men who should have colonoscopies actually get them. One reason many give is fear of pain. Still, Dr. Claffey points out, “Most patients shouldn’t feel any pain because they’re placed under anesthesia. Often they wake up and ask: ‘When you are going to start?’ We tell them they are fine and ready to go to the recovery room.”

                  Fear of the coronavirus shouldn’t keep dad from scheduling an appointment either. A concerning number of patients are canceling or postponing preventative care procedures, such as physical exams, mammograms and colonoscopies. But at Heartland Regional, like facilities across the nation, enhanced safety precautions continue to be maintained including:

                  • Visitation restrictions
                  • COVID-19 screenings for all employees, visitors and patients
                  • Designated care areas for non-COVID-19 patients
                  • Disinfecting procedures

                  The best gift you can give dad is the encouragement for him to lead a healthy lifestyle all year round. Discussing a regular screening regimen with your primary care physician, where factors like family history and overall health history can be part of the conversation, is the best way to keep dad healthy.

                  To schedule a consultation with Dr. Claffey, call (618) 998-7155.

                  Find A Doctor

                  A to Z LIST
                  Gender
                  A to Z LIST

                  Community Topics

                  Our Healthy Circle  
                  Events Calendar  
                  Press  
                  Volunteering  
                  Events and Classes  
                  Sponsorship Requests  
                  Newsletter  
                  ER WAIT TIME
                  0Min
                  Current average ER Wait Time
                  GET DIRECTIONS

                  3333 W Deyoung St
                  Marion, IL 62959

                  VIEW MAP

                  VIEW MAP  

                  About Us
                  Campus and Amenities
                  Contact Us
                  Hospital Fact Sheet
                  Phone Directory
                  Community
                  Our Healthy Circle
                  Events Calendar
                  Press
                  Volunteering
                  Events and Classes
                  Sponsorship Requests
                  Newsletter
                  Patients
                  Admissions
                  Billing and Insurance
                  Patient Resources
                  Returning Home
                  Patient Rights and Responsibilities
                  Employment
                  Media and Vendors
                  Marketing and PR contact
                  3333 W Deyoung St , Marion , IL 62959
                  (618) 998-7000
                  Terms of Use    Privacy Policy    View Full Site for Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
                  Copyright 2021 . All rights reserved.
                  3333 W Deyoung St, Marion, IL 62959
                  (618) 998-7000
                  Terms of Use     Privacy Policy
                  Notice of Privacy Practices
                  Release of Information
                  Notice of Non-Discrimination: Español • 繁體中文 • Tiếng Việt • 한국어 • Tagalog • العربية • Diné Bizaad • Polski ...View Full Site for Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
                  Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.

                  Loading... Loading...