Rural Health, Inc. Encourages Residents to Take Preventative Cancer Measures During National Cancer Prevention Month

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that can result in death if untreated. The cause of most cancers is unknown, but certain lifestyle factors and inherited genetic mutations can increase risk, either by acting alone or in combination, to initiate and/or promote cancer growth. February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) joins healthcare providers nationwide in encouraging early detection and prevention in order to increase survival rates in Illinois.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Illinoisans and is considered a significant public health issue for the state. According to the American Cancer Society, over 78,000 Illinoisans and more than 2 million Americans were diagnosed with some form of cancer in 2025. It is estimated that at least 40% of newly diagnosed cancers in US adults, roughly 850,000 cases in 2026, are potentially avoidable, including the 19% of cancers associated with cigarette smoking, the 8% associated with excess body weight, and the 5% associated with alcohol consumption.

“No one should die from preventable cancers. Your best defense is early detection which involves regular screenings to prevent cancer before it starts,” said Shawnna Rhine, Director of Public Relations for RHI. “Having an open dialogue with your healthcare provider can easily save your life.”

About 88% of people diagnosed with cancer in the US are 50 years or older, and 59% are 65 or older. However, the rate of probabilities is based on cancer occurrence in the population overall and may differ in individuals because of lifestyle exposures such as smoking, excess body weight, alcohol use, family history, and/or genetics.

Rural Health, Inc. offers its patients many options for cancer screening and early detection including Cologuard and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for colorectal cancer, Pap smear (Papanicolaou) test to check for abnormal cells on the cervix to prevent or detect cervical cancer early, Genetic Cancer Testing to determine DNA cells that could lead to certain cancers, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing and vaccine to prevent cervical, anal, and oral cancers. Patients needing a mammogram, colonoscopy, and prostate exam are referred for screening with follow-up and treatment care conducted by RHI healthcare providers.

For more information on cancer prevention and detection, contact Rural Health, Inc. at 618-833-4471 to schedule an appointment or visit the American Cancer Society online at www.cancer.org.

Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.

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