March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the 2nd leading
cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and approximately 150,000 Americans
will be diagnosed with colon cancer each year. Colon cancer often has
no symptoms at all until itand#39;s at an advanced stage, but it is 80%
preventable when detected early.
The Mruk Family Education Center on Aging (MFECOA) is hosting a
Preventing Colon Cancer program presented by the Donald W. Reynolds Centers on Aging on Wednesday, March
5 at 1:00 p.m. at the MFECOA on the BRMC campus. This free program will
be led by a nurse from the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care and will
include a discussion on colon cancer prevention, why a quality colonoscopy
is important, who should get one and what your risk is for colorectal
cancer. A
gastroenterologist from Twin Lakes Medical Specialists, Dr. Bodunrin S. Badejo, Dr. William
S. Dyer Sr. or Dr. Peter A. MacKercher, will also be available to answer
questions and participate in the discussion.
To learn more about this program, please call the MFECOA at (870) 508-3880
or email Debbie Love, MFECOA Coordinator, at
dlove@baxterregional.org.
Later that week, the Peitz Cancer Support House and BRMC encourage you
to participate in Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 7. The purpose of
Dress in Blue Day is to promote awareness about colon cancer, encourage individuals, businesses
and community groups to wear blue (the colon cancer awareness color) and
talk to each other about the importance of colon cancer screenings. Itand#39;s
so easy to participate… just wear blue on Friday March 7, 2014!
Although many people may consider colon cancer an embarrassing topic of
conversation, talking about the importance of being screened can save
lives. Through recommended screenings, this cancer can be caught early
when treatment is most effective andmdash; or even prevented altogether
when pre-cancerous polyps are detected and removed. Talking with your
doctor about colon cancer is essential to ensuring optimal screening,
prevention and early detection, and treatment.
For more information about colon cancer, contact the Peitz Cancer Support
House at (870) 508-CARE (2273) or visit
www.ccalliance.org.
Help us spread the word! Click below to download event flyers:
Colon Cancer Prevention program
Dress in Blue Day