OCO Cancer Services Recognizes Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March 11, 2016 Contributor

FULTON, NY – Early detection is perhaps the most important weapon in the war against cancer.  In recognition of March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month Oswego County Opportunities Cancer Services Program reminds us that regular screenings are especially important for the early detection of colon cancer.

In recognition of March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month employees of Oswego County Opportunities have decorated their offices and lunchroom in blue. The agency’s Wellness Committee and Cancer Services Program joined forces to encourage OCO employees age 50 and above to get screened for colon cancer and are providing them with a free FIT kit. Standing from left are Allison Griffin, Christine Prevost, Allison Flett, Inga Back, Margaret Barclay, Patty O’Conner, Diane Wood and Carrie Kinney. Seated from left are Candy Fox, Paula Baker, Elaine Briggs, Deb French and Carolyn Handville.
In recognition of March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month employees of Oswego County Opportunities have decorated their offices and lunchroom in blue. The agency’s Wellness Committee and Cancer Services Program joined forces to encourage OCO employees age 50 and above to get screened for colon cancer and are providing them with a free FIT kit. Standing from left are Allison Griffin, Christine Prevost, Allison Flett, Inga Back, Margaret Barclay, Patty O’Conner, Diane Wood and Carrie Kinney. Seated from left are Candy Fox, Paula Baker, Elaine Briggs, Deb French and Carolyn Handville.

To raise awareness of this deadly disease Carolyn Handville, coordinator of OCO’s Cancer Services Program, has begun a campaign that encourages her fellow employees to take action so that they may protect themselves against colon cancer.

Working with OCO’s Wellness Committee, the Cancer Services Program is offering all OCO employees age 50 or older a free take home Fecal Immunochemical Test Kit.

Easily taken at home, FIT kits, which test for blood in the stool, will be mailed in for processing and the results reported to the Cancer Services program.

Those that do test positive will be recommended to have a colonoscopy.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths; and while early detection and treatment can prevent colon cancer, it’s estimated that more than one million New Yorkers age 50 to 75 have never been screened for colon cancer.

As the early stages of colon cancer often do not produce any symptoms it is imperative that men and women over 50 years of age, or younger if there is a history of colon cancer in the family, receive regular screenings.

“Raising awareness of colon cancer is of the utmost importance,” said Handville. “Colon cancer can be prevented.  Regular screenings can find pre-cancerous polyps so they can be removed before they become cancerous. The risk of developing colon cancer may also be reduced by not smoking, eating healthy, drinking alcohol only in moderation and participating in regular physical activity.”

OCO’s Cancer Services Program provides free colorectal cancer screenings to uninsured men and women ages 50 to 64.

Additionally, the program provides free clinical breast exams, mammograms and pap/pelvic exams.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the Cancer Services Program at 315-592-0830.

Did you know … Oswego County Opportunities is celebrating 50 years of service to the Oswego County community in 2016.

To learn more about OCO’s past, present and future, visit www.oco.org

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