OCO Cancer Services Partners With Oswego Health for Dress in Blue Day

OSWEGO – March is Colon Cancer awareness month. It may be surprising to some, but new research from the American Cancer Society shows that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under age 50 in the United States.

Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Cancer Services of the North Country (CSP) wants people to know that this trend can be changed. Getting screened on time beginning at age 45, and continuing to get screened as your doctor recommends, is key to saving lives.  Screening can prevent colorectal cancer by finding growths that lead to cancer and removing them before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also find colorectal cancer early when treatment may work best.

Mohammad Fahad Ali, MD, FACG, FASGE, DABOM, Chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Director of Endoscopy at Oswego Health shares,

“Screening truly matters—and screening saves lives. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50 in the U.S., and in many early cases, there are no symptoms at all. That’s why routine screening is so important.

Here at Oswego Health, we offer a full range of screening options, including colonoscopies, stool-based tests, and other evidence-based tools to detect cancer early and provide timely treatment. A screening colonoscopy is especially valuable because it allows us to diagnose and treat at the same time. For those who prefer to start with a stool-based test, that’s a great option as well—if it’s positive, a colonoscopy is recommended; if it’s negative, it can be repeated in three years.

As an organization, we’ve taken meaningful steps to make screening more accessible. Our Direct Access Colonoscopy Program allows eligible, healthy patients to schedule a colonoscopy without needing an initial GI office visit. And we’re fortunate to have strong local resources, including Cancer Services of the North Country, helping ensure that uninsured or underinsured community members can still access lifesaving screening.

None of this would be possible without our exceptional team of anesthesiologists, nurses, and technicians—highly trained professionals who put patients at ease, answer questions, and ensure a safe, comfortable experience during their screening colonoscopy.”

Christina Wallace, Cancer Services Program Advocate at Oswego County Opportunities, says, “For those without insurance, the Cancer Services Program can provide free at-home colorectal cancer screening kits for eligible individuals ages 45 to 64. All it takes is a phone call to complete a quick intake, and if someone qualifies, a kit can be mailed directly to their home. Early detection is incredibly important, and thanks to strong community partnerships like the one we have with Oswego Health, we’re able to help connect people to the screenings and follow-up care they need.”

Administered by OCO, the Cancer Services Program of the North Country provides free cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap/pelvic exams and colorectal cancer screenings to qualifying community members who are uninsured and between 40 and 64 years of age.  For more information on the Cancer Services Program Partnership of the North Country call 855-592-0830 or visit OCO’s website at www.oco.org and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oco.free.cancer.screenings.

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