National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Events

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the US and several events have been scheduled to observe this health observance.

Put on Your Running Shoes for S.C.O.P.E.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is urging your participation in SCOPE – short for Sprint for Colorectal Oncology Prevention and Education. SCOPE started in 2006 and participation continues to grow at an annual rate of 25%. The aim of SCOPE is build awareness, promote education, celebrate survivorship and raise funds for colorectal cancer research. The next SCOPE is scheduled on March 27 at M. D. Anderson and has adult as well as children categories.

According to Cathy Eng, SCOPE co-founder and a race participant:

“S.C.O.P.E. was created because of the prevalence of colorectal cancer, and it’s potential to be preventedThe point of the race is to reach those without symptoms and those who have a family history of the disease to convey the importance of screening. Another goal of S.C.O.P.E. is to recognize and celebrate colorectal cancer patients and survivors. It’s very special to see my patients, often with their families, coming across that finish line.”

The National Super Colon^TM Tour

The Super Colon is on tour again. It is basically is a large inflatable model of a human colon, measuring 8 feet high and 20 feet long. The replica is a walk-through exhibition where people can get a closer look at:

• healthy colon tissue
• tissue with non-malignant colorectal disease like Crohns and colitis
• colorectal polyps
• various stages of colorectal cancer

The National Super Colon Tour is a travelling exhibition sponsored by Amgen. It has already started last March 3 in San Diego California but more events are scheduled later in the year.

Here are the events planned during the first half of the 2010:

• Amgen Campus, Thousand Oaks, CA – March 17, 2010
• Spring Training with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tucson, AZ – March 19, 2010
• Dempsey Cancer Center, Auburn, ME – April 15, 2010
• Atlanta, GA – May 2010
• Monahan Center, Cornell, New York, NY – June 7, 2010

Colon Webchat  at Cleveland Clinic

Monday, March 22, 2010 – 12 Noon Caring for Your Colon: Healthy Lifestyle, Cancer Prevention and Treatment Options with Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist Dr. Carol Burke, colorectal surgeon Dr. Jon Vogel and oncologist Dr. Robert Pelley.

Free colorectal cancer screening

March 20 is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Screening Day in the US and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute is organizing free colonoscopies on March 19 and 20. The free screening is offered by AGA member gastroenterologists in the following states:

• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• Ohio
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Washington

Check out the institute’s brochure on CRC Prevention and Treatment.

The Colon Health Centers of America also offers free colorectal cancer screen this month.