Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer Johnson
(410) 219-7482 Office
(410) 251-5379 Cell
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
(February 25, 2020, Salisbury, MD) Since 2000, March has been dedicated as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. As the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is found most often in people 50 years and older and affects all races and ethnicities. Per the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is expected to cause about 53,200 deaths in the US this year alone.
Although more than 90% of colorectal cancer cases are found in those 50 years and older, other risk factors include having an inflammatory bowel disease, a family history of colorectal cancer, a genetic syndrome like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome), and other lifestyle factors (lack of exercise, poor diet, overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use).
Changing lifestyle risks and getting regular screenings are two simple steps to help prevent colorectal cancer. In 2016, approximately 67.3% of adults in the United States aged 50 to 75 years were up-to-date on their colorectal cancer screenings while 25.6% of the same population had never been screened. The Wicomico County Health Department’s Colorectal Cancer Program provides no cost screenings to eligible individuals as well as help navigating the healthcare system. Last fiscal year the program helped 35 eligible clients receive preventative screenings, and since July 2019, they have helped over 20 more. The program also educates the community about colorectal cancer through health fairs and other outreach events, reaching approximately 400,000 people a year. In March, the Colorectal Cancer Program will provide outreach at Chesapeake Health Care, Wor-Wic Community College and MAC Inc. and will join Peninsula Regional Medical Center at Bennett High School for their annual HealthFest Event. Additionally, on March 21st, Oasis Radio will have a segment on colorectal cancer that will include discussion about the health department’s screening program. To help spread awareness about colorectal cancer, the Wicomico County Health Department will participate in Dress in Blue Day on March 6, 2020.
For more information on colorectal cancer and its awareness month, visit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s website at www.ccalliance.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov . For information on the Wicomico County Health Department’s Colorectal Cancer Program, including program eligibility or outreach opportunities, call (410) 548-5175 or visit our website www.wicomicohealth.org , Facebook page, or Twitter @WicomicoHealth.
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