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Palmetto Health sponsors community walk in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Month

02/16/2010

Palmetto Health sponsors community walk in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Palmetto Health is helping to raise public awareness by sponsoring its tenth Annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness Walk. The Walk will be at Columbia’s Riverfront Park on Saturday, March 13. The two-mile walk will begin at 10 a.m., preceded by an aerobic warm-up. Light refreshments will be served following the walk. Registration is free and can be made in advance by calling 803-296-2273 or log on to palmettohealth.org. Or register the morning of the walk beginning at 9 a.m. T-shirts are available for registered walkers.

The American Cancer Society estimates that, in the United States last year, more 150,000 men and women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 50,000 people died from the disease. In South Carolina alone, it is estimated that 2,150 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2009 and 800 lost their lives.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in North America, but we can change that,” said Ros Squirewell, R.N., educator at Palmetto Health Baptist. “Early detection of colorectal cancer usually results in long-term survival, so the more we raise awareness, the better the chances are that the cancer will be found early.”

Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable, and if found early enough, most treatable forms of cancer. More than 80 to 90 percent of those diagnosed while the cancer is still localized survive more than five years. Currently, however, only 37 percent of colorectal cancers are detected at this stage.

“The most common symptom of early colorectal cancer is no symptom — that is why routine screening is so important,” said gastroenterologist Dr. Georges Postic. “In the absence of symptoms or risk factors, screening should start no later than age 50 and continue routinely — once is not enough. Men and women must make routine colorectal cancer screening a part of their regular health care. You should talk with your doctor about screening guidelines.”

Palmetto Health also offers a monthly colorectal cancer support group. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at Palmetto Health Baptist, 1501 Sumter St., Classroom B. Call 803-296-3000.

For more information about colorectal cancer or the support group, call Squirewell at 803-296-5089.