North - Northwest Austin Edition | June 2023

HEALTH CARE BRIEFS

Texas Oncology adds local colon, rectal surgeons to expand network of services

COVID19 RESPONSE Austin Public Health is shifting its COVID-19 eorts following the end of the national public health emergency May 11.

Since the start of the pandemic:

1.2 million+ COVID-19 tests were conducted by APH.

COVID-19 metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services, according to a news release. APH will continue to oer COVID-19 vaccines through the Shots for Tots and Big Shots clinics as well as the Mobile Vaccination Program’s community events, APH ocials said. COVID-19 test kits will continue to be available from APH while supplies last. APH Director Adrienne Stur- rup said residents should not be concerned by the end of the declaration as APH will continue to provide care for the community. 10,000+ businesses were monitored to ensure COVID-19 protocols were followed. 404,000+ doses of COVID-19 vaccines were distributed.

BY DARCY SPRAGUE

EXPANDING CARE

As recent studies show colon and rectal cancer is increasingly found in younger patients and being diagnosed in more advanced stages, Texas Oncology expanded its care by acquiring a group of local surgeons. Central Texas Colon and Rectal Surgeons joined Texas Oncology in May. The physicians will now operate under Texas Colon & Rectal Special- ists, a subset of Texas Oncology. A study from the American Can- cer Society found 60% of colorectal cancer was diagnosed as advanced compared to 52% in the mid-2000s. Plus, 20% of cases occurred in adults younger than age 55, up from 11% in 1999. Thiru Lakshman, president of Central Texas Colon and Rectal Sur- geons, said anyone age 45 or older should get screened for cancer—ide- ally with a colonoscopy. Avoiding excessive red meat, smoked meats

SOURCE: AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY IMPACT

153,020 new cases of colon and rectal cancer are diagnosed annually nationwide. 1 in 23 men and 1 in 26 women on average will be diagnosed with these cancers in their lifetimes. It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the United States. As colorectal cancer is increasingly found in younger adults and at more advanced stages, Texas Oncology is expanding its Austin-area services.

COVID19 strategy shifts as emergency declaration ends

BY AMANDA CUTSHALL

COVID-19 eorts are shifting from an emergency to a managed response as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the end of the national public health emergency in May. Austin Public Health ocials are nalizing updated COVID-19 dashboards to address changes or elimination of federal or state

SOURCE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY COMMUNITY IMPACT

and alcohol; not smoking; and not living a sedentary lifestyle can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, he said. Access services through www.texasoncology.com or www.tcrscolondoctors.com.

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