On February 28th, 2014, President Barack Obama proclaimed March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and said, “I encourage all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups to join in activities that will increase awareness and prevention of colorectal cancer.” (Click for full Proclamation)
In an effort to raise awareness for colon cancer, today (the first Friday of March) is National Dress in Blue Day. Why Blue you ask? According to the Colon Cancer Alliance , “the nationally-recognized blue star represents the eternal memory of the people whose lives have been lost to the disease and the shining hope for a future free of colon cancer.”
In addition to National Dress in Blue Day, March 7th, 2014 is also National Colonoscopy Screening Day! Click to watch a video to learn what a colonoscopy screening is really like. Here’s a hint: it’s much easier than you are imagining.
- Colorectral cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
- Your likelihood is 1 in 20 (this will vary based on family history, first degree relatives, and lifestyle)
- 136,000: the number of new cases of colorectal cancer each year in the U.S.
- 1 in 3 American adults (roughly 23 million) aren’t screened for colon cancer, as recommended.
- Colon cancer is 80% curable when detected early, and most colon cancers can be prevented with appropriate screening.
- Colon cancer claims more than 50,000 Americans each year.
- The recommended age for a screening is 50, however, if you have a family history of colon cancer, your first screening should be 10 years before the relative was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Please call Granite Peaks Gastroenterology to get scheduled for your colonoscopy, if not for you, do it for those you love.
Phone: (801) 619-9000 or simply request an appointment by clicking here.