Cancer Prevention | Just One Step (July)

Stop Cancer Before It Starts

Sometimes a small step in the right direction turns out to be the biggest step of your life. That’s especially true when it comes to cancer prevention. The American Cancer Society reports that deaths from cancer have dropped 33% since 1991 — that’s 3.8 million lives saved. But you can’t treat cancer if you don’t know it’s there. That’s why screenings are so important.

With Just One Step, you can learn about simple steps to build your whole-self wellness — whether that’s physical, emotional or financial. What’s your step for living better and longer by preventing or treating cancer? Get screened at the right time.

Catching Cancer Early … and Kissing It Goodbye

Keesa Looper (right), who has been a Heritage employee since 2015 and enterprise payroll manager since 2021, knows a lot about cancer. She lost her dad to cancer when he was just 53, and her siblings were diagnosed at young ages. “There was a family history we just couldn’t ignore,” said Keesa, a wife and mother of three.

A genetic test revealed Keesa had Lynch Syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. At age 33, Keesa began to have regular cancer screenings. At age 44, she learned she had colon cancer. “It was stage 1,” Keesa said. She didn’t need to have radiation or chemo, but most of her colon was removed.

“If I’d dragged my feet, I might not be here,” Keesa said. Screenings really do make a di erence. “If anything is out of the ordinary, I want it xed early. I don’t want to su er or put my family through unnecessary emotional stress.”

Look inside. Learn more about cancer screening and prevention.

Our Stories

Fellow employees share their experiences with cancer screenings.

“I’ve had ve or six colonoscopies starting at age 48. My dad has a history of growths called polyps, which can lead to cancer. Sure enough, they found polyps the rst time I got screened. Now I’m on a three-year cycle.”

“The colonoscopy prep is the worst part. I’ve gotten used to it. It’s de nitely a cleanse! When you have your colonoscopy, you go to sleep. It’s not painful you don’t feel it at all. I’ve had four in my lifetime, and I’ve never felt anything.”

“One day, there was a mobile mammogram unit at The Center. I happened to be at the o ce that day, and it had been a year since my last mammogram, so I scheduled one. A few days later, they called to say they’d found something. It turned out to be an invasive form of breast cancer. If I hadn’t had that mammogram, I wouldn’t have known.”

Age women are eligible for a free preventive mammogram

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Cost of preventive colonoscopies and mammograms for eligible employees

— Doug Felton, Vice President, Enterprise Bene t Strategy

— Keesa Looper, Manager, Enterprise Payroll, and Colon Cancer Survivor

— Mary Wright, HR Administrator, Heritage Environmental Services, and Breast Cancer Survivor

Screening Smarts

It’s always a good time to talk to your doctor about your family history, genetic disorders or other factors at your annual wellness exam. Your doctor may suggest that preventive screenings start at an earlier date or occur more frequently.

Here’s an overview of some of the most common cancer screenings:

Breast cancer: All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a health care provider right away. Annual mammograms are recommended beginning at age 40.

Colon cancer: All adults aged 45 and over should participate in preventive colon cancer screenings, also known as colonoscopies, as determined by their physician.

Lung cancer: If you are 50 or over and have a history of smoking, talk to your doctor about whether early screening is right for you.

Skin cancer: Everyone should talk to their primary care physician or dermatologist to determine the appropriate intervals to complete skin cancer screening. Annual skin checks are a good idea, too.

Worry-Free

Reduce Your Cancer Risk

Most preventive screenings are free for employees and family members enrolled in the medical plan. Not on the THG plan? Check with your insurance provider to understand which services are eligible. Avoid

What if it’s Cancer?

If your screening test reveals that you have cancer, you’ll be in a better position to ght it than if you’d done nothing. Just ask Mary Wright, an HR administrator at Heritage Environmental Services who’s been battling breast cancer for the past year. “A er I accepted my diagnosis, I stopped saying ‘Why me’ and started saying ‘Why not me?’” Mary said. “I saw the stats: 13% of women develop breast cancer in their lifetime.”

During her treatment, which included chemo, radiation and a six-month leave of absence, there were rough days, but Mary got through it with the support of her family, community and employer. “My boss was supportive, and my Heritage bene ts, including the OneHeritage Fund, helped,” Mary said. “If cancer happens to you, nd out how THG may be able to help. HR Shared Services is an excellent resource.”

How to Help

Now that Mary feels “back to normal,” she supports others going through cancer treatment. Here are a few of her tips:

Ask what they need.

Talk to a close friend or family member rst. Cancer patients may not want homemade food due to changing tastes and dietary restrictions, but they may need rides to the hospital, house cleaning or groceries.

Help nd resources.

Look to the American Cancer Society for reasonably priced products like chemo caps and lotions. Agencies like Little Red Door may o er nancial assistance or care packages.

Set up a share site.

Mary’s niece set up a pro le on Caring Bridge, which made it easier to communicate with supporters. It may be hard for cancer patients to talk on the phone or reply to emails, especially if they’re on leave.

Next Steps

Schedule your yearly checkup. If you’re an employee enrolled in the THG medical plan, you’re eligible. If your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in one of our health plans, they’re eligible, too. If you’re not on the THG medical plan, reach out to your source of medical insurance to learn about your coverage.

Ask your doctor about screenings. Find out if any additional screening tests are recommended for you, and don’t be bashful about sharing any concerns you may have.

Disclaimer: This mailer is not designed to diagnose or treat any illness or disease. If you suspect you are ill, contact your doctor right away.

Mary at her last radiation treatment.