SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― On Friday, March 1, Regional West will join a statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition and participate in Dress in Blue Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness for colorectal cancer.

Since 2009, Dress in Blue Day has encouraged the public to dress in blue to bring awareness to colorectal cancer. According to the Nebraska Cancer Coalition, colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Nebraska, with higher incidences of colorectal cancer diagnosis and death compared to overall national rates. However, people aged 45 and older can get regular colorectal cancer screenings to help prevent or detect cancer at an earlier stage.

Polyps, or abnormal growths that form in the colon or rectum, can sometimes turn into cancer over time. With regular screenings, troublesome polyps can be found and removed before they become cancerous. Screening can also help detect colorectal cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Though colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms, some signs may include changes in bowel habits; blood in or on the stool; abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t subside; and unexplained weight loss. Because symptoms may not present until the cancer is at a later stage, Regional West physician Armando Magana, MD, recommends that all eligible people get consistent screenings.

“Regular colorectal cancer screenings are lifesaving tools,” he said. “If you’re 45 or older or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your physician or provider about screening options.”

Regional West offers many screening options, including screening colonoscopies at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Gastroenterology. To find the best option for you, talk to your physician or provider or call the clinic at 308-630-2101. For more information on Regional West’s Cancer Services, visit https://www.rwhs.org/services/cancer/cancer-services or call 308-630-1348.

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West features an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics. Regional West offers comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.