News

Contact: Mary Roberts

North Platte, Neb., March 2, 2022 – Great Plains Health has joined the annual statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition and Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force to heighten awareness of lifesaving colon cancer screening during Colon Cancer Awareness month and Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 4.

Dr. Todd E. Hlavaty, who has served as the medical director of the Callahan Cancer Center at Great Plains Health for the last 26 years, also serves on the board of directors for the Nebraska Cancer Coalition.

“Great Plains Health is proud to participate in the #DressInBlueNE efforts,” Hlavaty said. “Colon cancer is the second deadliest cancer and Nebraska ranks 29th in screening rates. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to visit your health care provider on a regular basis and discuss the screenings that you need. Screenings catch cancer at earlier stages and save lives. Don’t wait to talk to your provider.”

Hlavaty and the team at the Callahan Cancer Center will participate in the #DressInBlueNE efforts by wearing blue on March 4. Cantina lights strung over the bricks of the Canteen District will also be lit blue for the evening to bring awareness to the cause.

Incidences of colon cancer diagnosis and death remain higher in Nebraska compared to overall U.S. rates. Additionally, rates of colon cancer have increased in recent decades among individuals younger than 50. So much so that the official recommended age for colon cancer screening was recently reduced from 50 to 45.

“Colon cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it’s much more difficult to fight back. It’s important for Nebraskans ages 45 and older speak with their health care provider about screening as soon as possible, especially those who have postponed appointments because of the pandemic,” said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson. “Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, but you don’t know if you don’t go.”

There are multiple safe, affordable options available for screening, including at-home test kits. Individuals are encouraged to contact their primary care provider to start a conversation about screening. Additionally, anyone wanting to support the statewide awareness effort is invited to wear blue on Friday, March 4 and share on social media platforms using the hashtags #DressInBlueNE and #FightBackNE.

Nebraska residents aged 45-75 years old who meet specific income guidelines may be eligible for free or low-cost colon cancer screening. For more information, visit the Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program website or call (800) 532-2227.

###

About Great Plains Health

Based in North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Health is a fully accredited, 116-bed acute-care regional medical center serving western and central Nebraska, northern Kansas and southern South Dakota. With 90 physicians representing nearly 30 medical specialties, the Great Plains Health system offers advanced health care, including heart and vascular, cancer, and orthopedic surgery services. Great Plains Health is a Level III trauma center, and all of its emergency department physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in emergency medicine. The system employs approximately 1,200 employees and serves a geographic area spanning approximately 16,000 square miles.

The hospital is accredited by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and is home to an American College of Surgeons-accredited cancer center and Level II bariatric surgery program. For more information, visit gphealth.org.

About Nebraska Cancer Coalition

The Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) is a nonprofit organization that serves all 93 counties in Nebraska. NC2's membership and partners include health systems, providers, associations, cancer survivors and individuals. Together we aspire to achieve our mission of connecting people and resources to strengthen cancer prevention, detection, and quality of life in Nebraska. NC2 works towards implementing the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. Our vision is to ultimately Conquer Cancer Together.

About Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force

The Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force is dedicated to increasing the number of lives saved from colon cancer through education, early detection, and prevention. The nonprofit organization was formed in 1999 and collaborates with health organizations, businesses, colon cancer survivors, and volunteers throughout the community who are engaged in a comprehensive effort to get the community talking about colon cancer and provide free colon cancer screenings and resources.