Trinity online HealthAware expanded to include cancer and joint disorders

Trinity Regional Health System recently expanded its free HealthAware online risk assessment to now include a cancer and orthopedics program. The HealthAware Oncology Program tests for breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer, while the Orthopedics Program screens for various joint disorders. Both assessments evaluate an individual’s likelihood of having or developing any of the aforementioned conditions by asking a series of health-related questions, generating a numerical score and, ultimately, assisting in the early detection of cancers and joint disorders.

“Monitoring your risk factors on an annual basis is a good first step toward prevention,” said Dan Saskowski, Trinity’s HealthAware program administrator. “It’s a lot easier, as well as less expensive, to do something about them if you catch them early.”

Depending on the participant’s responses, each evaluation determines whether or not the survey taker possesses no risk factors, one risk factor or two or more risk factors. Those with one risk factor can opt-in to receive regular information regarding how to reduce future risk. Those with two or more risk factors can choose to receive a free screening by a clinician and additional referral information if needed. They will also receive information on how to choose the right health habits and how to manage certain modifiable risk factors.

The BreastCancerAware module includes questions that focus on family menstrual period and reproduction history. The lifetime risk of any particular women getting breast cancer is 1 and 8, and although prevalence in women is greater, men are also at risk for developing breast cancer. Proper screening and early detection are the best ways to reduce death rates.

The LungCancerAware module asks questions about chronic cough, breathing difficulty, pulmonary conditions, and smoking/ second-hand smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United Statestoday. Lung cancer symptoms typically do not occur until an advanced stage; therefore, early detection and risk analysis are critical in the fight against the disease.

The ColonCancerAware module focuses on questions relating to a person’s history of colorectal polyps, physical inactivity and family history. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States among both males and females, and more than 100,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly. Screening and early detection effectively helps and treats the majority of cases.

The ProstateCancerAware module includes questions about age, ethnicity, family history and date of last PSA blood test or digital rectal exam. Every man over the age of 45 faces a risk being diagnosed with prostate cancer, but the risk increases dramatically with age.

The JointAware module asks about physical activity, chronic bone or joint pain, weight and age in order to determine risk level. Every year, arthritis results in 750,000 hospitalizations and 36 million outpatient visits. Not only does early detection reduce the number of reported cases, but it also improves individual’s overall well being.

“Many of these diseases are controllable or preventable,” said Saskowski. “Simple changes in lifestyle, including eating, exercise and smoking habits, can have an impact on one’s overall risk for these conditions later on in life.”

All individual survey results are confidential. For more information, please go to www.trinityhealthaware.com to begin taking the tests.