February 25, 2003

Fight Colon Cancer During National Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Davenport, IA - Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and will claim more than 57,000 American lives this year. An estimated 1,900 Iowans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003, and 800 will die from this disease. Many Iowans could be saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received regular testing. Colon cancer screening tests identify suspicious or pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed before they develop into a serious health problem.

This March, as the nation observes National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society has partnered with Genesis Regional Cancer Center, Walgreens Drug Stores, and Metropolitan Medical Lab to offer free colon test kits. Test kits can be picked up at all Quad City area Walgreens Drug Stores and the following community partnership locations in Scott, Rock Island, and Louisa Counties:

American Cancer Society 1351 West Central Park Pavilion 2, Suite 1100 Davenport, IA Genesis Cancer Center 1351 West Central Park, Pavilion 1 Davenport, IA Louisa County Public Health 805 J.L. Hodges Avenue, North Wapello, IA

Illini Hospital 801 Hospital Road Silvis, IL Wapello Medical Clinic 406 Mechanic Street Wapello, IA Community Health Center of Southeast Iowa 218 North 2nd Street Wapello, IA

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies, so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated with increased risk for colon cancer include:

• Age - most diagnosed are 50 or older
• Race - African Americans are at greater risk
• Personal or family history of colon cancer
• Personal or family history of intestinal polyps
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative or Crohn's colitis)
• Certain genetic factors (familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish descent)
• Smoking or use of other tobacco products
• Physical inactivity
• Diets high in red meat

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information about colon cancer, call Genesis On Call at 563-421-2000 or 800-383-2575. Colon cancer information is also available on The American Cancer Society's Web site, www.cancer.org or contact them at 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345).