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| JAMZ 96.3 helped with outreach at last year's Main Streets Go Blue event. |
If you're seeing blue this March, you're not alone.
Central Avenue and other prominent main streets in the Capital Region are turning blue in observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
"Each year, Central Avenue participates in this initiative because we know screenings save lives,” says Anthony Capece, Executive Director, Central Avenue Business Improvement District. “Our businesses come together with special displays, lighting, and signage, to turn Central Avenue blue and raise awareness about the importance of early detection."
This year, St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP), the region’s largest health system – in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program (CSP) of Albany and Rensselaer Counties, and major Capital Region businesses – including Price Chopper, CDTA and the Central Avenue BID (Business Improvement District) – is urging everyone to “Go Blue.”
“Each year in New York State, nearly 10,000 people develop colorectal cancer, and more than 3,000 New Yorkers die from this disease,” states Arthur L. Sunkin, MD, Chief of Medical Oncology/Hematology, St. Peter’s Health Partners Cancer Care Program.
“However, a large number of New Yorkers are still not aware of their risk and many are not being screened at recommended intervals,” adds Dr. Sunkin, “but colorectal cancer often can be prevented. Regular screening can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.”
All men and women age 50 and older are urged to get screened. While the disease can occur at any age, most people who develop colorectal cancer are age 50 or older. Additionally, those with a personal or family history of colon polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum) or colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease, are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and may require more frequent tests.
Community outreach events are being held at several locations around the Capital Region. Uninsured individuals age 50 and older will be able to pick up easy to do take-home kits, free of charge, to screen for colon cancer. The locations include:
- Hoosick Street Kickoff: Wednesday, Mar. 4, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Brunswick Price Chopper, Hoosick St., Troy
- Central Avenue Kickoff: Friday, Mar. 6, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Westgate Price Chopper, Central Ave., Albany
- St. Peter’s Hospital Event: Monday, Mar. 9, 12 – 3 p.m., St. Peter’s Hospital, Main Street Lobby, So. Manning Blvd., Albany
- St. Mary’s Massry Center Event: Wednesday, Mar. 18, 4 – 6 p.m., Hoosick St., Troy
Additionally, Albany and Rensselaer Cancer Services Program staff will be riding various CDTA buses, to help educate riders about getting screened and to hand out kits. CDTA will also host events on: Colonie Station (Central Avenue side of Colonie Center); and on Uncle Sam BusPlus Station (next to Dinosaur BBQ), Troy.
“We are happy to continue our partnership with the Cancer Services Programs of Albany and Rensselaer Counties for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month,” states David M. Stackrow, CDTA Chairman of the Board. “Getting screened is vitally important when it comes to maintaining good health and we are glad to help those who may otherwise not have access to cancer screenings.”
In addition to all the screening events, the Albany and Rensselaer County Partnerships will be decorating Central Avenue in Albany and Hoosick Street in Troy to help raise awareness.
All health insurance plans, including plans participating in the New York State of Health, cover colorectal cancer screening with no patient cost sharing, copayment or coinsurance, regardless of a yearly deductible.
For more information about screening events around the Capital Region, please call (518) 525-8680, or visit www.CSPofAlbandRen.com. To find a CSP Partnership near you, or to learn more about Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month events in your area, please call 1-8-66-442-CANCER (2262), or visit
http://www.health.ny.gov/
