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ELECTION CANDIDATES P. 3 EDITORIAL P. 6
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KICK START SPRING P. 9-11 FARM SAFETY WEEK P. 16
E xpress OMINECA
Publications Mail Contract # 40007840
$1.34 Inc. HST Vol. 35 No. 2
Serving Vanderhoof ● Fort Fraser ● Fraser Lake & Area www.ominecaexpress.com
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Preventing cancer, one colonoscopy at a time Cameron Ginn Omineca Express
Cameron Ginn/Omineca Express
A driver fled the scene of a crash on Sunday, March 10, that sent three passengers to hospital. Two sustained serious injuries.
Vanderhoof RCMP preserved the scene of a crash until late Sunday as two other officers collected information.
Driver flees scene of crash
Two people were seriously injured in a crash in Vanderhoof on Sunday morning. At around 4:20 a.m., a Vanderhoof RCMP officer spotted a truck stunt driving in a parking lot but didn’t pursue the vehicle when it left the scene. Shortly afterward, the officer discovered the vehicle had smashed into a post near the intersection of Burrard Street and High-
way 16. The officer spoke with the driver, who later fled, and checked on the three passengers, two of whom sustained serious injuries. All three passengers were taken to hospital. Personnel from the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C., a civilian-led body that conducts investigations into on
and off duty police-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm, were deployed to Vanderhoof on Sunday afternoon. Vanderhoof RCMP preserved the scene of the crash until late Sunday as two other officers collected information. The IIO is handling the investigation and North District RCMP are unable to comment.
By holding group medical appointments, Dr. Sean Ebert of the Omineca Medical Clinic is streamlining colorectal cancer screening for patients from as far away as Mackenize. The group appointments, organized in Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Burns Lake, have led to an increased awareness of colon health which helps to reduce the number of colorectal cancer cases in the region, said Dr. Ebert, who performs about 300 colonoscopies, or scopes, at St. John Hospital each year. "I used to find at least one colon cancer per month doing colonoscopies, and now I get one every three months," he said. Like other group meetings offered at the Omineca Medical Clinic, the service fast tracks patient consultations and significantly reduces wait times for the procedure. On average, Dr. Ebert sees referred patients for consultation within about four weeks. If a procedure is required, it can be done electively within about four to six weeks, he said. To participate in the service, patients must be referred by their family doctor or nurse practitioner. "Patients attend the group, have a consult, get instructions and information and then they leave with an appointment, which makes everybody's life a lot easier," said Dr. Ebert. Colonoscopies may be invasive, but they're no laughing matter. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death in Canada among women and men, according to the Colon Cancer Society, a grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and raising funds for treatment. Continued on page 2
Do You Take This Opportunity To Advertise? In the April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, 2013 editions of the Omineca Express we will be featuring a Wedding Page. On the pages readers will find news, trends and advice about everything related to the wedding process. Will you take this opportunity to increase your exposure with a wellplaced ad on our wedding pages for 2013? Say “I do” and call the Omineca Express 567-9258 or fax 567-2070 to reserve your space today.