Colon Cancer Check Photo Booth Is In Windsor
Wednesday March 6th, 2013, 3:00pm
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The Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program’s Screen for Life ColonCancerCheck photo booth arrived will be in Windsor between March 7th and 17th.
As the Photo Booth visits several locations, residents will learn about colorectal cancer screening and get their photo taken, while they “Make the Pledge” to get screened or pass on life-saving information to their loved ones.
“Our current data indicates that only 28% of the eligible population in our region is participating in colorectal cancer screening,” states Claudia den Boer Grima, Regional Vice President Cancer Services for Windsor Regional Hospital and the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. “Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. In 2012, an estimated 8,700 Ontarians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an estimated 3,450 died from the disease. We must do everything we can to increase our screening rates – here, and across the Province. The travelling Photo Booth, opportunities to engage one-on-one, and a comprehensive social media campaign will reach thousands – raising awareness, and encouraging people to talk to their doctor.”
“The tragedy here is that the majority of these deaths can be prevented through early detection,” states Dr. Anat Ravid, General Surgeon, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital and Regional Surgical Oncology Lead, Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. “In 2010, just over half of Ontarians aged 50-74 were up-to-date with FOBT, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and/or Colonoscopy. This means that just under half still need to be screened for colorectal cancer. Screening saves lives, yet Ontarians who are eligible for screening are not doing so. This call to action will help save countless lives by enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.”
Gary McNamara, Town of Tecumseh Mayor and colon cancer survivor states “I can’t stress enough the importance of getting screened; colon cancer caught early is not a death sentence anymore. Don’t wait until you have symptoms, GET IT DONE NOW!”
In the spirit of the campaign, den Boer Grima concluded: “A butt check today could save your butt in the future – so get screened!”
Make the Pledge encourages average risk men and women 50 to 74 years of age to screen for colorectal cancer every two years using the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). The FOBT is a free, simple test done privately at home which tests for blood in the stool. Kits are available at health care provider offices across the province. Those without a health care provider can visit http://www.Ontario.ca/ColonCancerCheck or call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-410-5853 for information on how to be screened for colon cancer.
The photo booth will at:
March 7th – Chrysler Building Lobby, 1 Riverside Drive E Windsor 8am to 2pm
March 7th, 10th, 17th – WFCU Centre 8787 McHugh St Windsor during Spits games
March 9th, 16th – Devonshire Mall 3100 Howard Avenue Windsor 9am to 6pm