Colon Cancer Screening (FIT kit information)

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Colon Cancer Screening (FIT kit information) 150 150 Health Care Centers

Colon Cancer Screening (FIT kit information)

Colon Cancer Screening  

Most adults should be screened (tested) for colon cancer starting at the age of 45. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that alters the tissue of the colon and/or rectum. It often starts as a small growth or lump(s) called a polyp. Polyps can become cancer. When found early, they can often be taken out before they become cancer. Some people have a higher risk (chance) compared to those with normal risk for colon cancer.  Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the bottom of this page to find out if you fall into that group. 

Screening for Colon Cancer 

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Colon cancer screenings (tests) can find cancer before you feel any symptoms. A Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) should be done each year to look for this type of cancer. FIT, is an easy test to do that looks at a sample of stool (poop) for signs of hidden blood. A FIT test is done by collecting a sample of your stool at home and then bringing the sample back to your clinic lab, in-person or by mail. 

Watch this video (English or Español)  to learn how to do your FIT test at home

How to Ask for a FIT Test 

  • You can send a portal message to your primary care provider
  • You can call your clinic

How can I prevent colon cancer? 

  1. Eat a healthy diet
  2. Do regular physical activity
  3. Lower the use of alcohol
  4. Stop smoking cigarettes
  5. Complete your FIT every year (or other screening tests recommended by your primary care provider)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The colon is a part of the digestive system. It is a tube-like organ joined to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other. The colon takes out water, nutrients and other substances from food that is not fully digested. The left over material is solid waste known as stool (poop).  Stool moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.

Cancer is  a word for diseases caused by growth of cells that are not normal in the body.  Colon cancer cells multiple in the colon and take over normal tissue. If not detected early, colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body.

  1. Getting older
  2. Having a parent, brother, sister or child with colon cancer.
  3. Own history of colon cancer
  4. Alcohol use. Drinking 3 or more drinks per day will increase the risk of colon cancer.
  5. Smoking cigarettes
  6. Race – Black people have a higher risk of colon cancer and death from colon cancer

People with any of these colon cancer risk factors below may need screening that are different, done at an earlier age, and done more often compared to people with normal risk: 

  • Family history of colon cancer or polyps (small growth or lumps) 
  • Family history of a genetic colon cancer syndrome (disorder) like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary (genetic) non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) 
  • Own history of colon cancer 
  • Own history of chronic inflammatory bowel (swelling of gut) disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease) 

Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you have one or more of the above risk factors.  

Well Visits For Newborns, Children And Adolescents 150 150 Health Care Centers

Well Visits For Newborns, Children And Adolescents

Well visits, are preventative care visits or physicals. They are important to keep your child healthy. At each well visit, your doctor will go over important information about your child’s health and wellness. This can include things like what they eat, if they are active, and how they are doing in school. Your doctor will also ask about your child’s development, discuss their growth, and make sure that they are up to date on all their vaccines (shots). A well visit can also be a good time to bring up any concerns you have about your child’s health. Your child will also get a complete physical at each visit; this is often needed by schools, for physical education and sports teams. 

  • The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
  • 2 weeks – 1 month-old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 2 years old (24 months)
  • 2 ½ years old (30 months)
  • 3 years old
  • Once a year for 4 years and older

Seeing their doctor often for visits will help your child get used to visits. This will also lower any fears they may have about physicals and vaccinations. Talk to you child about what to expect before the visit. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. It is best to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for checking in. 

Schools often require physicals and vaccinations to be completed to enroll patients. They can also require specific forms if your teen is on a sports team. Bring the specific form required by your school with you to your doctor’s appointment 

Yes. Your doctor and clinic will provide you with a note to excuse your child from school on the date of your visit. 

Your child’s health plan may provide you with free service to-and-from your child’s appointment. 

Please go to: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/our-services/resources/transportation/ 

Yes. You can ask that your clinic schedule all your children’s appointments on the same day. If there are open spots on the schedule, your clinic will fit them in 

Sign up for LA health portal – available for children less than 12 years click here

If your child is due for their exam, please call to make an appointment!
Check out all our clinics:
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/our-services/primary-care/pediatrics-and-adolescent-clinics/ 
 

Healthy Living 150 150 Health Care Centers

Healthy Living

At LA Health Services we are dedicated to caring for our patients at every stage of life. By focusing on preventative care and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices we can help our patients live healthier and more fulfilling lives.  

Healthy Living is a resource page with information on a variety of topics. Within this page you will find:  

  • Information on preventative care like FIT Kits and Well Child visits  
  • Resources for managing ongoing health conditions like asthma and diabetes  
  • Information about infectious diseases like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)  

Visit us often, as we plan to expand the information provided in this section.  

Premature Infant 150 150 Health Care Centers

Premature Infant

A premature birth is a birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby’s estimated due date. So, a premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Having a premature baby can feel overwhelming. However most premature babies don’t develop serious disabilities. But the earlier a baby is born, the higher the chances there may be problems.

Health Services Premature Infant Clinic is a resource for families with children who were born early or have had difficulties at or shortly after birth. The premature infant health care team will work with you to closely watch your baby’s development and try to catch any problems early on.  These providers are experienced with the diagnosis and treatment of developmental delays and are committed to preventing or lessening long-term problems associated with prematurity and newborn illness.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

* Specialized primary care clinic – requires approval

Positive Care/HIV 150 150 Health Care Centers

Positive Care/HIV

Positive Care/HIV medicine is a medical practice devoted to patients living with HIV. Our Positive Care health care team is experienced in caring for you as a whole person. They will work with you to make a plan to stay healthy, recommend which medications are best, discuss lab results and consult on anything involved in your medical care.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV affects cells of the human immune system that, over time, prevents the body’s ability to fight infections and disease. Today, HIV/AIDS can be managed as a chronic illness in the primary care setting with HIV medicines. HIV medicines cannot cure HIV infection, but they can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.  For over 25 years, Health Services has been a leader in HIV/AIDS care. Physicians in our Positive Care clinics have helped thousands of patients lead healthy lives through quality care and new drug therapies.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

* Specialized primary care clinic – requires approval

Pediatrics and Adolescent Clinics 150 150 Health Care Centers

Pediatrics and Adolescent Clinics

Pediatrics is a medical practice devoted to comprehensive health care for infants, children, and teens. Pediatric medicine providers are dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions affecting patients from birth to 21 years of age. Pediatric clinics are supported by a team of professionals who work hard to keep you and your child or teen in good health through preventive health visits, sick visits, and management of chronic medical conditions with an individualized approach that supports the medical, social, and behavioral needs of patients and their families.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

* Specialized primary care clinic – requires approval

For additional Pediatric clinical services please see Family Medicine section.

Geriatrics 150 150 Health Care Centers

Geriatrics

Geriatric medicine is a medical practice devoted to comprehensive health care for older adults, generally aged 65 and older. Geriatricians emphasize maintaining function, independence, and quality of life. In addition to general primary care, geriatric care includes a comprehensive assessment and treatment for conditions that primarily affect older adults, such as: maintaining activities of daily living, memory loss, falls, urinary problems, vision and hearing loss, advance care planning, caregiver support, and medication safety. The geriatrics care team is interdisciplinary, and engages the older adult patient, their family members and caregivers in their care. Geriatrics care team members undergo specific training in the medical, psychosocial, and preventative team-based care specific to older adults. They strive to improve quality of life and wellness, supporting patients and their families/caregivers, throughout the aging process.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

Family Medicine 150 150 Health Care Centers

Family Medicine

Family Medicine is a medical practice devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. Family medicine doctors are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect people throughout the lifespan. You may see these physicians referred to by several terms, including a family physician, family doctor, or general practitioner (GP). The family medicine clinic is supported by an interdisciplinary care team who work hard to keep you in good health through preventive care, acute care, specialty referrals and the management of chronic medical conditions. Family medicine focuses on the whole person and strives to improve their health in the context of their family and community.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

Health Services Adult Medicine Clinics 150 150 Health Care Centers

Health Services Adult Medicine Clinics

Adult Medicine is a medical practice for people 18 years or older. Practitioners for adults are trained in general medicine for all adult ages, from young adults to the elderly. Adult medicine doctors are dedicated to learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases that affect adults. You may see these physicians referred to by several terms, including internists or doctors of internal medicine.  Internists specialize in primary care screening and in treating common adult problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as in treating patients with a complex combination of conditions. The adult medicine clinic is supported by a team of professionals who work hard to keep you in good health through preventive care and the management of chronic medical conditions.

Services are offered throughout Los Angeles County. Please see below to find a location near you.

* Specialized primary care clinic – requires approval

For additional Adult clinical services please see Family Medicine section.

Primary Care 150 150 Health Care Centers

Primary Care

Welcome to the Health Services. We want to make your experience with us comfortable, convenient and safe.

When you become a patient at Health Services, you become part of a health care team that works together to care for you.  Your medical home is the clinic where you will get your regular care.

Your health care team includes:

  • Your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant
  • A medical assistant, nurse, or care manager
  • A community health navigator or health educator
  • A social worker, mental health and substance use disorder counselor, if you need one.

Your health care team will help take care of your health.  They will provide preventive care and encourage healthy lifestyle choices, identify and treat any medical conditions or problems, and make referrals to medical specialists when necessary.

Do not wait until you are sick to meet your health care team for the first time. Check ups and wellness visits are an important. This is the time for you to talk with your health care team about your family health history, your lifestyle, and your health care goals. During these visits, your health care team will do health screenings for early signs of disease, and make sure your immunizations are up to date.

Your health care team will develop a relationship with you and become familiar with your family situation, your diet and exercise habits, the medicines you take, and any previous medical challenges you experienced in the past. If you experience an illness or a medical emergency, your health care team already knows you and will recommend the best care for you.

If you are currently a Health Services patient, we are so glad you are a patient with us.  If you are not currently a Health Services patient and want to find out more information about how to become a patient at Health Services, please call us at 844-804-0055.