Get Screened

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month was created by the unanimously passed Senate Resolution 108 in late 1999. This legislation was brought about by the concerted efforts of many organizations and provides a focal point for their awareness efforts. The first National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month was March of 2000 and has continued every March since then.

The Senate resolution was prompted by a promising long-term study of 46,000 people, released in March 1999 by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study proved that for Americans over 50 and those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, a Fecal Occult Blood Test can help find colorectal cancer at its earliest stages when it is up to 90 percent curable. Current guidelines recommend that screening for average risk individuals begin at 45.

Biomerica, Inc. is pleased to support National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by providing you with this website where you can learn about colorectal cancer screening. In just two minutes, EZ Detect™ can identify hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early warning sign of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in America, but according to the CPCP study, annual use of an FOBT could prevent up to 33,000 colorectal cancer deaths each year. Ordering one now could save your life or the life of a loved one.

Some of the 34 cancer information groups and celebrities involved in raising colorectal cancer awareness include the following (see their websites for activities planned):

• The National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. The NCCRA and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Colon Cancer Dream Team are dedicated to eradicating colon cancer by harnessing the power of celebrities to promote education, fundraising, research and early medical screening. The NCCRA was co-founded by NBC TODAY show co-anchor Katie Couric, nationally known cancer fund raiser Lilly Tartikoff, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
• The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA). The CCA is an organization of colon and rectal cancer survivors, caregivers and people with a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer.
  CCA’s colorectal cancer survivors battle colorectal cancer through patient support, education, research and advocacy. They have some ideas and tools that you can use to make a difference in your neighborhood.
• The American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS’s web site provides extensive information to help you make informed decisions about your health care. It provides questions to ask your doctor and recommendations for an overall healthy lifestyle.