MONTREAL, March 4, 2016 /CNW/ - March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month when we strive to raise awareness about the importance of screening and offer our support to those touched by the disease.
"This March, we want to make you aware that colorectal cancer can touch you just as easily as it did me, silently and with hardly any symptoms. It is one disease that does not discriminate and can touch anyone," said Barry D. Stein president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada ("CCAC").
Most people are unaware that the disease is Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable. Colorectal cancer affects everyone, young and old, male or female. Although the prevalence of the disease increases at about 50 years old, many young individuals are touched by the disease, and we make a point in offering them support.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in Canada, yet it can be detected through simple screening tests. Most provinces have implemented screening programs and regularly use fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) or fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) for any person over 50 years old. Positive results are referred for a colonoscopy.
This month, in celebration of a healthy lifestyle and primary prevention, we will be introducing a new program Foods That Fight Cancer. We have also aligned with our alliance partners all over the world to promote the Never Too Young (N2Y) campaign supporting young patients diagnosed with the disease.
Throughout the month, we will feature new articles on colorectal cancer on our Website, Facebook pages, Twitter account and other media, and of course our www.endangeredbutts.ca ads and You Tube videos will be back again so you can "bear" out the month.
A great way to participate in March awareness month is to organize a "Dress in Blue" day at your work place. Dress in Blue events encourage employees to dress in blue at work any given day in March to spread awareness, support for patients, and raise funds for important CCAC programs so that we can continue to help you. Its simple to do. Get a poster, register online and go to work dressed in blue. For more information and to register for your workplace, see: www.dressinblue.ca
So help us help you by spreading the word and saving lives!
About colon cancer
Colorectal cancer - cancer of the colon or rectum - is the second leading cause of cancer deaths overall in men and women in Canada. Though highly preventable and curable when detected early, an estimated 25,100 Canadians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year. One in 14 men and one in 16 women are expected to develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Sadly, over 9,400 men and women will die from colorectal cancer this year in Canada.
About CCAC
The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada is the country's leading non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and educating Canadians about colorectal cancer, supporting patients and their families and advocating on their behalf. For up-to-date information on colorectal cancer call us toll-free 1.877.50.COLON (26566) to order free copies of helpful educational materials.
Website: www.colorectal-cancer.ca
Twitter link: https://twitter.com/coloncanada
Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/Colorectal/?fref=ts
SOURCE Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada
Image with caption: "Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CNW Group/Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160304_C3844_PHOTO_EN_635367.jpg
For interviews contact: Isabella Noubani, Email: [email protected], Tel: 514.875.7745 ext.223, Cell: 514.692.2385
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