Masonic Cancer Center taking part in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March into Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Minnesota landmarks and public spaces to be lit blue on Tues., March 5
Mayoral proclamations being made in several Minnesota cities.

MINNEAPOLIS (February 26, 2019) – On Tuesday, March 5, over 80 civic, public, and private organizations across the state will band together to turn Minnesota BLUE (the color of colon cancer awareness) for one day and night in March. Edina-based Colon Cancer Coalition is leading the effort to educate Minnesotans from all corners of the state about the importance of colorectal cancer screening and show support for patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Landmarks and health care facilities across the state, including Target Field and the IDS Center in Minneapolis; 1st National Bank Building and Regions Hospital in Saint Paul; Mayo Clinic Plummer Building in Rochester; Enger Tower in Duluth; Lincoln Plaza in St. Cloud; and many more, will shine blue from dusk to dawn. The mayors 10 Minnesota cities and town have all declared March as COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. The commitment of the Minnesota’s health care community, together with the civic and business participation, provides a platform to bring attention to the nation’s second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. In addition to blue lights, many health care organizations are also engaging their employees and patients by wearing blue, sharing information and encouraging screening. (Note: a complete list of buildings, landmarks, and other participating spaces are listed on page 2.)

The Minnesota business community and the general public are also invited to join the Tues., March 5 activity. Simply wear a favorite shade of blue or light-it-up with a blue lightbulb. Photos can be shared on Twitter or Instagram using #MNBlue.

On Tuesday, March 12, colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and their families will join the health care community at the “Minnesota Blue Reception” at 6 p.m. in the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Zoo in St. Paul. Together the community will celebrate the life-saving work being done in the state. Providers and clinics who are meeting the national 80% screening goal will also be recognized at this event. This event is free and open to the public.

Facts about colon and rectal cancer:

1.     In 2019, an estimated 2,300 Minnesotans will be diagnosed and 790 Minnesotans may die from colorectal cancer.
2.     One in 23 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime, one in five of those will be diagnosed under the age of 54.
3.    The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for this preventable cancer should begin at age 45 for adults with average risk. Screening should begin earlier for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
4.    In Minnesota the screening rate for colorectal cancer sits at 73.7%, increasing that by just one percentage point could mean an additional 10,000 Minnesotans would be screened, saving lives in the process.

What can be done to reduce the risk?

1.     Get screened as recommended, starting at age 45, or earlier for those with certain risk factors.
2.     Maintain a healthy weight, and adopt a physically active lifestyle.
3.     Understand the symptoms, and talk with your doctor if you experience blood in your stool, chronic constipation or unexplained weight loss.
4.     Consume a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting red and processed meats.
5.   Limit your alcohol consumption and don’t smoke.

About the Colon Cancer Coalition

The Colon Cancer Coalition is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis, Minn. dedicated to encouraging screening and raising awareness of colon cancer. The organization’s signature Get Your Rear in Gear® and Tour de Tush® event series are volunteer-driven in communities throughout the United States. Money raised at these events are granted back into local communities to help will build and sustain programs and research encouraging early prevention, screening, and patient support for this disease. By making the words colon, colorectal and colonoscopy a part of the everyday language, we believe we can overcome the fear and decrease deaths from this largely preventable cancer. For more information visit ColonCancerCoalition.org.