With Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month just weeks away, the Livingston County Department of Health is already spreading a critical message: If you are 45 or older, it’s time to get screened.
On Monday, health officials and community partners unveiled a new colon cancer screening awareness banner that will be displayed in towns throughout the county. The 36-foot-wide banner encourages residents to get screened and highlights revised guidelines recommending screenings begin at age 45, five years earlier than the previous standard.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in New York State, following lung cancer. To combat this, the county is working with the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region and the University of Rochester Medical Center through the “Main Street Goes Blue” campaign. The initiative focuses on increasing screening rates and reducing deaths from colorectal cancer.
“The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 152,000 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year alone,” said Livingston County Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez. “We’re spreading the word that colon cancer can be prevented with regular screenings. We want everyone in our community to check with their healthcare provider and get screened today if they’re at risk.”
The awareness banner was funded by Strollin’ for the Colon, a local non-profit dedicated to promoting early detection and education about colon cancer. The organization hosts an annual 5K walk/run, which this year will be held on September 13 at Mendon Ponds Park.
Rodriguez also emphasized the availability of at-home screening tests for those at average risk and free colon cancer screenings for eligible uninsured residents. More information can be found by contacting the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region at 585-224-3070.
Livingston County has participated in the “Main Street Goes Blue” campaign since 2011 and reached a national milestone in 2019 by screening 80% of adults over 50 for colorectal cancer. This year, county staff will continue their awareness efforts by wearing blue on the first Friday of March to promote early detection and prevention.
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