Minnesota Gastroenterology, PA observes National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Minneapolis – Minnesota Gastroenterology, P.A. is showing support throughout the month of March for Colon CancerAwareness by sponsoring events geared towards raising awareness for the disease.
Every year colon cancer kills more than 56,000 Americans, which is 43 percent of those diagnosed.
“Colon cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States despite the fact that it is almost entirely preventable in people that undergo routine screening”, says Dr. John Allen, gastroenterologist and Chief Medical Director of Minnesota Gastroenterology, “The good news is that nationwide, deaths from colon cancer have dropped each year for the last decade as more and more people get screened. In fact deaths from colon cancer dropped more than any other cancer because our message about the importance of screening is being heard. March is colon cancer awareness month and it is time to ask yourself if you have been screened. If not, talk to your doctor today.”
Minnesota Gastroenterology physicians perform over 30,000 colonoscopy procedures each year, of those, 40 percent of patients are found to have pre-cancerous polyps that are immediately removed.
Carol Ann Larson credits her screening colonoscopy with saving her life. She was diagnosed seven years ago with stage 3 colorectal cancer and has since authored the book “Positive Options for Colorectal Cancers”. Today she is cancer-free.
“It is so important to get screened”, comments Larson, “… if you can catch the polyp, then you can stop the disease, not all cancers are like that.”
Minnesota Gastroenterology is sponsoring the 3rd Annual “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5K race and walk on March 31 at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Preceding the race, health professionals from Minnesota Gastroenterology will be available on March 26 and 27 at Southdale Center in Edina to help educate the public about the importance of colon cancer screening. The event at Southdale Center coincides with a “Super Colon” exhibit, where a 20 foot inflatable colon will be on display for the public.