The American Cancer Society and Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center encouraged Mississippi residents to GO BLUE on Friday, March 15th to help bring awareness for the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Cancer advocates were encouraged to wear blue, share inspirational stories on social media using recommended hashtags, and participate in community awareness activities.

During this event, we had more than 60 patients signup to get screened, have a colonoscopy or receive a fit kit. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer death in Mississippi when men are women are combined, but it doesn’t have to be.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer death in Mississippi when men are women are combined, but it doesn’t have to be. When adults get screened for colorectal cancer, it can be detected early when treatment is most likely to be successful. In most cases, it can be prevented altogether.

The American Cancer Society now recommends that screening begin at age 45 for people at average risk. The guideline was changed last year, based in part, on new data showing rates of colorectal cancer are increasing in younger populations.

Colorectal cancer screening can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool (a stool-based test), or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (a visual exam, such as a colonoscopy). If a person chooses to be screened with a test other than colonoscopy, any abnormal test result should be followed up with a timely colonoscopy in order to complete the screening process.

Screening can save lives, but only if people get tested. Patients are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about which tests might be good options for them and talk to their insurance provider about insurance coverage.

For more information about Colorectal Cancer, please visit Cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345. You may also find additional resources at NCCRT.org.