-Editorial
The Calexico Wellness Center hosted a Health Fair on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 420 Heffernan Ave., in the grass area. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of regular health screenings, with a special focus on colon cancer prevention.
Residents attended the event to visit various resource tables, participate in raffles, and receive important health information.
Dr. Patrick Sweet, a gastrointestinal specialist, is urging residents to prioritize colon cancer screenings, emphasizing that early detection can significantly reduce mortality rates.
“For the average-risk person, screening should start at age 45,” Dr. Sweet explained. “Average risk means no family history of colon cancer and no symptoms. If someone has symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in their stool, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, or anemia, they need a diagnostic evaluation rather than routine screening.”
For those with a family history of colon cancer, screenings should begin at age 40 or ten years before the age at which their relative was diagnosed—whichever comes first. Additionally, individuals with specific genetic conditions may require earlier or more frequent screenings.
Dr. Sweet also highlighted key lifestyle factors that can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, not smoking, and limiting red meat intake.
“Interestingly, red meat has been associated with an increased risk, though we’re not entirely sure why,” he said. “Also, being male slightly increases the likelihood of developing colon cancer, with men facing about a 4.8% lifetime risk compared to 4.5% for women.”
Colon cancer is highly preventable if detected early, as polyps can be removed before they become cancerous. The most accessible screening option is the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), a stool-based test that detects blood. However, Dr. Sweet noted that colonoscopy and Cologuard provide higher-quality results, with colonoscopy allowing for both detection and immediate removal of precancerous growths.
“The best test is the one that gets done,” he said. “If patients have access to a colonoscopy, that’s the best option for detection and prevention.”
Dr. Sweet practices at Imperial Valley Healthcare District and performs screenings at Valley Endoscopy Center, which offers direct booking for eligible patients.
“Anyone 45 and older, without a complicated medical history, can qualify for open booking,” he said. “Those with a family history of colon cancer are also eligible, and most insurance plans cover the procedure.”
Blanca Morales, CEO and Founder of the Calexico Wellness Center underscored the importance of regular screenings and preventive health measures at the recent Health Fair.
“The message for the community is to get your yearly screening, your colonoscopy, and you can start at the age of 45,” Morales said. “Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and once we comply with our colonoscopies for the year, we are taking a big step toward prevention. I know sometimes it’s hard because the cleansing process is tough, but once you get it done, it takes seconds.”
Morales also highlighted the role of diet in cancer prevention, stressing the importance of reducing carbohydrate intake. “A lot of it depends on what you eat,” she said. “You have to stick to a low-carb diet and watch the harmful foods—sugar, sodas, liquor, bread, anything that’s white. Right now, my husband is in remission. He was told he had only eight months to live two years ago, but he put himself on a ketogenic diet, cut sugar, and focused on drinking water, beet juice, and unsweetened tea. We’ve been promoting preventive medicine for seven years, and this is a big one.”
The event brought together a wide range of health organizations and officials. “We invited all the agencies countywide, and we brought other clinics we collaborate with,” Morales said. “The Mexican Consulate was here, Senator Steve Padilla was here, Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez was here, and we had wraparound services and agencies educating the entire community on health and wellness.”
