Do You Just Belong?

Are you just an active member

The kind that you would be missed?

Or are you just contented

That your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and

Mingle with the flock?

Or do you just stay at home

To criticize and knock?

Do you take an active part

To help the work along?

Or are you satisfied

To only just belong?

Do you work with your committee

And get right in and mix?

Or leave the work to just a few

And talk about the Cliques?

Think this over brother

You know right from wrong!

Are you an active member

OR DO YOU JUST BELONG?

A note to Senior Kappa's from those coming up the ranks behind you!

Greetings to all! Brother Ronald Ruffin here! Welcome to all of our Kappa Alpha Psi brothers and Silhouettes to the 79th Council meeting of the South Central Province, Brother Donald Woolridge - Province Polemarch!

On behalf of The Brentwood (TN) Alumni Chapter, and our Chapter Polemarch Brother Brian Roberson, and our awesome leadership team thanks for being here over the next several days!

Please make yourself at home! Whatever we can do to be of assistance this week, just reach out to any Brentwood Kappa Brother who will glady assist you! It's going to be an awesome filled with information, entertainment and fellowship! Thanks for being our guest! Yo!

The Brentwood Alumni Chapter's Senior Kappa Affairs Committee (SKAC) has been very active in community activities throughout the Nashville area. The SKAC is led by Senior Kappa (60+) Brothers, but Brothers of all ages participate in assisting senior citizens around the community. All Brentwood Alumni Brothers are encouraged to support senior citizen programs at Senior Centers, Churches, Health Centers and Community Centers. The SKAC also provides volunteers at other other institutions, such as the Nashville Rescue Mission and Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Kaduceus' Korner

Brother Ryan D. Mire, MD

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Over the past two decades, the number of colon cancer cases has actually decreased due to increased awareness and

screening. Therefore, there is overwhelming evidence that screening for colon cancer is an effective modality for maintaining health and reducing the incidence of colon cancer.

Colon cancer originates from polyps, which are growths within the lining of the colon that have the potential to develop into cancer. If these polyps are removed through colonoscopy, the premier screening modality, the risk of them developing into cancer is significantly reduced. Some symptoms of colon cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal cramping, and unintentional weight loss.

Colon cancer screening begins at age 45, but can be initiated earlier for individuals with a family history of a first-degree relative who has had colon cancer. Several screening modalities are available, with the

goal of achieving a colonoscopy for direct visualization within the colon and the removal of polyps.

Other screening modalities that are also acceptable include stool testing for microscopic blood, stool testing for genetic DNA mutations within the stool, a barium enema for indirect visualization using X-ray, and a recently approved blood test to screen for colon cancer. It is important to note that while the blood test has been recently approved, it has not been endorsed by preventive screening guidelines, and some insurance companies do not cover this test. One of the primary limitations of the

blood test is that it cannot detect pre-cancerous polyps, which is the advantage of a colonoscopy.

My call to action is that if you are age 45 or older, you should schedule colon cancer screening with your physician or healthcare professional.