Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Smits have a message for you...

Posted by:
Tom Lyons, Department of Public Health

Continuing the focus on the fine work of our Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, I wanted to share with you a some radio public service announcement's on the importance of screening for colon cancer.  March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we're working to get the word out about the importance of screening.  You'll be hearing these ads throughout the month of March on radio stations throughout Massachusetts.  If you haven't already done so, check out the "on the street" video about colorectal screening.  Give the PSA's a listen and let us know what you think. (Download PSA Transcript )

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Comments

[Sarah Dees]

This is a good message, but 50 is not the magic number. I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 46 when I had the colonoscopy test. My cancer was caught at stage II. I had the same kind of cancer that, sadly, took Farrah Fawcett's life. I was lucky, because although I had to go through a long and painful treatment, my tumor shrunk and disappeared, and I am now considered cancer free. Since it was caught early I am still here. I was also lucky that my tumor grew at such an angle that it made a tiny bump that stuck out. Otherwise, I would never have found it, as I didn't notice any other symptoms. One of the reasons that colorectal cancer is the second deadliest kind of cancer is that it often goes undetected until it is so far advanced that treatment is too late, when it is in stage IV or more. So think of getting the colonoscopy test as early as age 45. It may save your life.

[Max]

Colon Cancer Month is coming to an end. But you have friends and family who will turn 50 all through the year. You also will have loved ones who will be reaching that 10 year mark since their last colonoscopy. Remind them how important this one test is. Tell them how this one test may save their life.
Check out our Facebook fan page: Prevent Colon Cancer: One test can save your life: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Boston-MA/Prevent-Colon-Cancer-One-test-can-save-your-life/58962074735?ref=nf.