JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Department of Health in Duval County is encouraging everyone to wear blue on Friday to show support for survivors and raise awareness of colon cancer.
March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and the nationally recognized day has grown to be a rallying point for the colon cancer community, where thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates throughout the country join together to increase colon cancer awareness.
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The day is meant to spread the word about colon cancer screening, which should begin for most people at age 50.
"Colon cancer is a difficult disease for many people to talk about,” DOH-Duval Dr. Kelli Wells said. “National Colon Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to start conversations about this deadly disease and decrease the barriers to screening."
Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. On average, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about one in 20.
In 2016, it is estimated that more than 130,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and nearly 50,000 will die from the disease. Despite these statistics, it is one of the most preventable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer.
Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called polyps) in the colon before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.
In Duval County:
- Colorectal cancer caused 124 deaths in Duval county in 2015 (rate: 13.8 deaths per 100,000 population).
- In 2013, 8.7 percent of Duval County residents, age 50 and older, reported receiving a blood stool test in the past year, and 75.4 percent of Duval County residents, age 50 and older, reported ever having a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. All are accepted screening tests for colon cancer.
A screening test could save someone's life. For more information visit www.cancer.org.