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St. Lawrence County Cancer Services Program promoting colorectal cancer education and awareness in March

Posted 2/28/11

In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Services Program of St. Lawrence County is turning St. Lawrence County “Blue” from March 4 to 13. Local Businesses and …

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St. Lawrence County Cancer Services Program promoting colorectal cancer education and awareness in March

Posted

In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Services Program of St. Lawrence County is turning St. Lawrence County “Blue” from March 4 to 13.

Local Businesses and hospitals will be “going blue” in an effort to urge men and women age 50 and over to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancers, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in New York. Approximately 11,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year in New York, and 4,000 men and women die from the disease annually. Approximately 16 men and 14 women in St. Lawrence County lose their lives each year due to colorectal cancer, according to the New York State Department of Health.

Colorectal cancer is the term used for cancers that start in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth called a polyp, long before symptoms appear. A polyp is a non-cancerous growth of tissue or tumor that grows before cancer develops. Doctors agree that colorectal cancer screening tests can either find cancer early or prevent cancer by finding polyps before they turn into cancer.

The Cancer Services Program is a grant funded program that is able to provide free screenings to men and women 50 to 64 years of age who have no health insurance. They can provide a take home Fit Kit to check for hidden blood in the stool if you are of average risk. If you are at increased risk or high risk, such as if a first-degree family member had colon cancer or precancerous polyps, you are not eligible for a take-home kit, but would be referred to a gastroenterologist or a surgeon to talk about a colonoscopy.

Area hospitals will be participating in SLC Goes Blue by providing colon cancer education. A CSP staff member will be available to discuss screenings and risk for colorectal cancer during the week of March 7-11:

• Community Health Center of the North Country (formerly Cerebral Palsy Association), Canton, Monday, March 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• E.J. Noble Hospital, Gouverneur, Tuesday, March 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, Tuesday, March 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, Wednesday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Clifton-Fine Hospital, Star Lake, Thursday, March 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Massena Memorial Hospital, Thursday, March 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Cancer Services Program of SLC has asked various county businesses to “go blue” to spread the word about this deadly but preventable disease. Participating locations will display their “blue” theme, and will have educational materials and information regarding hospital screening dates around the county.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early through regular screening.

People who are uninsured should contact the Cancer Services Program of St. Lawrence County to find out how to get free colorectal cancer screening. Call toll-free (877) 239-8969 or 386-2325, to find the program nearest you.