State leaders and health officials gathered today at the Mississippi Capitol to address the state's dismal ranking in colorectal cancer morbidity rates, a figure that can be drastically reduced by early screening methods.

 
"The real tragedy is that this can be prevented," said Gov. Phil Bryant, who joined officials in championing the 70X2020 Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative.

That program has a goal of ensuring at least 70 percent of Mississippians will be up to date with recommended screening by the year 2020. It's suggested that the first screen for colon cancer occur at age 50, with a second screen 10 years later. For African-Americans, the first screening should occur at age 45. If there's a family history of colon cancer, a screen every five years is recommended.

Did the nurse who just stopped by your hospital room wash her hands before she left?

Did you get the promised results of your blood tests, and were they explained to your satisfaction?

Keeping tabs on their own care is one way patients and their families can get involved in promoting safety and ensuring that the patient suffers no harm during his or her stay. It's part of the education message of Patient Safety Awareness Week, a March 8-14 national observance that focuses on the relationship between medical staff, patients and patient families.

The Medical Center always encourages its health-care providers to include patients and families in their own care, said Amber Arnold, patient safety officer. "They all play a role in delivering safe care and keeping patients free from harm," she said.

A number of interesting events is scheduled for the upcoming week at the Medical Center.