Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin hosted a press conference Thursday to declare March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in West Virginia, the Gazette-Mail’s Lydia Nuzum reported. “The reality is that I know what Stage 4 means, but if other people take this and go get screened, that makes it all more worthwhile”. The survival rate for colon cancers has been increasing for the past 15 years because of screening – polyps often are found and removed before they become cancer.
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Colorectal cancer is the third-most diagnosed cancer in the United States, and is the most prevalent cancer among West Virginians. The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50–earlier for people with a family history of the disease.
Through screening, Colon Cancer is one of the most preventable diseases.
Local and state politicians, health professionals and Niagara Falls State Parks officials will lead off a campaign of awareness on Friday night capped off with a big blue reminder urging everyone to get tested regularly. About 135,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and around 50,000 will die from it. While many of us are familiar with the basics of this cancer, not enough of us are aware that colorectal cancer can be prevented, not just detected, through colonoscopy.
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In case a person’s test comes positive, he will be provided a free colonoscopy screening test, which could look out for polyps or cancer. Included in the patient collection kit you will find the following items: 1 or 2 Collection Tube(s) filled with buffer solution, Collection Papers, Specimen Pouch, Patient Instruction Sheet and Mailing Envelope. Remember, getting screened could save your life. Access to medical care is the motivating factor behind everything we do and we believe that everyone has the right to quality, affordable medical care, regardless of their income.
