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SLC Goes Blue kickoff event Friday for colorectal cancer awareness

Posted 3/1/11

CANTON -- On Friday, March 4, the Cancer Services Program of St. Lawrence County is hosting a kickoff event for SLC Goes Blue, a week-long colorectal cancer awareness initiative. The kickoff on March …

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SLC Goes Blue kickoff event Friday for colorectal cancer awareness

Posted

CANTON -- On Friday, March 4, the Cancer Services Program of St. Lawrence County is hosting a kickoff event for SLC Goes Blue, a week-long colorectal cancer awareness initiative.

The kickoff on March 4 begin at 9 a.m. in the Human Services Building on St. Route 310 in Canton. Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, Dr. Ben Handelsman, and a representative from the American Cancer Society will be speaking. Price Chopper is supporting the kickoff; there will be cake and refreshments available for those who attend.

Colon cancer affects both men and women, but the risk increases with age. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of colon cancer cases occur in people aged 50 and older. Some people are at greater risk for the disease than others, such as those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, history of intestinal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and people with a history of certain inherited diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.

In St. Lawrence County, colorectal cancer accounts for 12.2 percent of all cancer cases and 12.1 percent of all cancer deaths. The Cancer Services Program believes this reflects low screening and detection rates for this cancer. Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early through regular screening.