Annual Colon Cancer Walk to Step Off Sunday in Purchase
By Lizzie Gellman
About 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each year and 50,000 will lose their battle against the nation’s second leading cancer killer.
This public health issue has not yet gained the recognition it should, but there are those working to raise awareness for this preventable but often fatal disease.
Chappaqua resident and surgeon Dr. Thomas Weber founded the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation (CCCF) nearly 15 years ago after growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of education for colon and rectal cancer in the metropolitan area and nationwide.
Although colorectal cancer is preventable with timely screening, when Weber founded the CCCF barely 30 percent of Americans were being screened, he said. Since then, the CCCF has been one of a variety of organizations that has been educating the public about the disease, helping to increase screening rates and raise money to support research.
Today, the national screening rate is about 60 percent and close to 70 percent in New York City, said Weber, a 17-year Chappaqua resident.
“Awareness has improved but we need to help folks take the ‘action step’ and get screened,” he said.
As part of that mission, one of the CCCF’s biggest events is scheduled for this Sunday, May 22. The Manhattanville Colon Cancer Challenge, a remembrance and prevention walk, will take place at Manhattanville College in Purchase from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s walk marks the 13th year of the event, and it remains one of the nation’s oldest and largest efforts focused on the disease.
Weber said despite progress made over the last decade and a reduced incident rate for those diagnosed with colorectal cancer over the age of 50, there is a new disturbing trend: an increasing number of adults under 50 are being diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer. Most times they are diagnosed at a very late stage and their prognosis for survival is grim.
Cindy Borassi, executive director of the CCCF said there has “absolutely not,” been enough attention paid to colorectal cancer. About 4.7 percent of men and 4.4 percent of women have a lifetime risk of colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
There are many steps men and women can take to give themselves the best chance of avoiding and detecting colon cancer, Weber said. The American Cancer Society recommends a healthy diet low in animal fat and rich in fruit and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight (with a Body Mass Index under 25), avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use and getting regular exercise.
Perhaps most important is knowing your family history and getting regular screenings starting at age 50 – or earlier if a person’s parent or sibling had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Weber stressed that it is critical for the public to be aware of the warning signs.
“Blood in the stool, changes in character of the stool, as well as persistent abdominal or rectal area discomfort should be investigated by your doctor right away,” he said. “Don’t wait.”
About 5,000 people participate in the CCCF’s Westchester walk and New York City events. A larger challenge event is scheduled for Oct. 1 on Randall’s Island.
For more information on how to detect symptoms and prevent colorectal cancer, visit http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/moreinformation/colonandrectumcancerearlydetection/colorectal-cancer-early-detection-acs-recommendations.
To register for Sunday’s Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation walk, visit http://events.coloncancerchallenge.org.
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