PREVENT COLORECTAL CANCER: Just Get Over It … and Get Screened
Colorectal cancer screening isn’t anyone’s favorite subject. But did you know that screening tests can PREVENT colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) and removing them BEFORE they have a chance to develop into cancer? Screening can also find this cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
This short video busts the myths most people have about colorectal cancer screening. For example, there are several different tests, including one that you can do at home.
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US, but one-third of adults aged 50 or older (about 22 million people)—the age group at greatest risk of developing colorectal cancer—have NOT been screened.
The risk is also higher for people who have inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or a lifestyle of poor diet and exercise habits.
Bottom line (no pun intended): You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by getting screened beginning at age 50; earlier, if you have an increased risk. Ask your doctor what’s right for you.
- Kaiser Permanente: At Home Colorectal Cancer Screening (video).
- Providence: Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention.
- Regence: Colonoscopy: An Uncomfortable Lifesaver.
MIGRAINE SUFFERERS: There’s Hope
About 20% of women and 10% of men suffer from migraines. These severe headaches may last from 4-72 hours and occur as often as several times a week. They often include throbbing pain, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light or sound.
Never had a migraine? The Excedrin® Migraine Experience created a video, What Does a Migraine Feel Like? to help the rest of us get an idea of what migraine sufferers experience.
You can't cure migraines. But medicines and other treatments may help you feel better and limit how often you get migraines.
At first, your doctor may want you to try an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Brand names include Advil, Aleve, Bayer, and Tylenol. Some over-the-counter medicines (for example, Excedrin) combine acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
If these medicines don't work, your doctor can prescribe stronger medicine to stop the migraine. Your doctor also may prescribe medicine to prevent migraines.
You may not be able to use some medicines if you are pregnant or have other health problems, such as a heart condition.
If the first medicine doesn't work, ask your doctor if you can try something else. It may take time to find what works best for you.
Some people also use or combine medication with other kinds of treatments, such as acupuncture. These may help reduce the pain or the number of migraines you have. Your Health Plan provides alternative care benefits that may be helpful:
- Kaiser Permanente: Blending conventional and alternative care
- Providence: Alternative and Complementary Care.
- Regence: Access alternative medicine with help from your health plan.
EARLY RETIREES: Get Answers Fast
When you have questions, don’t get frustrated…get answers by going to directly to the source. Here are three tips to help you find it fast:
- Call the Trust Administrative Office, managed by Zenith American Solutions with questions about Early Retiree eligibility and enrollment. (Please note: The PPS Benefits Office does not handle Early Retiree enrollment, so they cannot help you with this information.)
- Get benefit information online 24 hours a day. Register on your benefit carriers’ websites, where you can view your benefits, services, claims and more. Click here for quick links to the benefit carriers in the Plan you’ve selected. Simply choose your bargaining group (PAT, PFSP or ATU/DCU) and status (Early Retiree) to see your profile.
- Call your carrier if you can’t find the answer online to your specific benefit question or you have a unique situation. Click here for phone numbers, or look on the back of your Health Plan ID card.
WANT TO COMPARE PLANS & RATES? Online, Anytime
There’s a quick and easy way to compare Health Plan coverage and rates. To see the benefits that are available to your bargaining group (PAT, PFSP, ATU/DCU) and status (FT, PT, Early Retiree or Substitute Teacher), go to sdtrust.com, then:
- Click “Use Your Health Benefits”
- Choose your bargaining unit and status, then click “Go”
- Scroll down to Health Plan Documents, then choose from:
- Benefit overview guide – for your group’s Benefit Guide
- Detailed benefit information - for your group’s Benefit Handbook
- Coverage comparison – for your group’s Plan comparison chart
- Rate comparison – for your group’s Plan rate chart
These are valuable resources, when you need to make a mid-year Plan change due to a qualifying event in your family, employment status or other coverage. (Tip: Be sure to enroll within 31 calendar days of the event.)
Looking for historical information from previous Plan Years? You can also view past Trust Plan Comparison Charts and Rate Sheets by year, group and status. To find it, go to sdtrust.com, click Menu, then Archives (under More).