Erie County Recognizes Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; TOPS MarketsĀ® Partners with Erie County Cancer Services Program to Raise Awareness

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MEDIA RELEASE

From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale Burstein

Date March 6, 2015                              

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925

 Erie County Recognizes Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

TOPS Markets® Partners with Erie County Cancer Services Program to Raise Awareness

ERIE COUNTY, NY— March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early detection of colorectal cancer through a nationwide campaign. The Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) supports these efforts and encourages residents to have age-appropriate colorectal cancer screenings performed as directed by their healthcare providers.

“Colonoscopies are the best method to detect colorectal cancer early, before it causes symptoms and when it is easier to treat. A colonoscopy at age 50 can significantly lower the risk of advanced colorectal cancer and death,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. “Also, performing a yearly fecal immunochemical test (“FIT”) is an effective screening method to identify those who need further evaluation and possible treatment to prevent the progression of colorectal cancer.”

Through the Erie County Cancer Services Program, ECDOH provides cancer screening, diagnostic, treatment, and support services for uninsured and underinsured individuals aged 40 and over for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer. The ECDOH Cancer Services Program can determine an individual’s eligibility for services, assist with scheduling screening examinations, and provide information at no cost. Individuals can contact the Cancer Services Program at (716) 858-7376, or utilize the Cancer Services Program website, www.cspwny.org .

Here are some facts about colon cancer:

  • Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States among men and women combined.
  • It affects people of all racial and ethnic groups.
  • It touches more than 132,000 Americans annually and claims nearly 50,000 lives.
  • Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 20.
  • Colon Cancer is most often found among people 50 years or older, but can occur at any age.
  • Colon Cancer is one of the most detectable and treatable forms of cancer, and more than 90 percent of all cases can be prevented with recommended screening.
  • Everyone 50 years and older, and those with symptoms or a family history, should be screened regularly for colon cancer.

 

Each year, approximately 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer - but the early indicators of this deadly disease can be caught before it is too late. Colorectal cancer is largely treatable when detected in the early stages, but sadly, due to low screening rates, fewer than 40 percent of cases are caught early.

To encourage more residents to screen for colorectal cancer, ECDOH is once again partnering with TOPS Markets® to promote colorectal cancer awareness. Select TOPS Markets® in Erie County will be offering the InSure® FIT™ test kit to eligible adults 50 to 75 years old to aid in early detection of colon cancer.  The InSure® FIT™ test kit provides a convenient sample collection method to use at home, making annual colorectal cancer screening easy. This is a simple, convenient and cost effective screening option that does not require any diet or medication adjustments. The InSure® FIT™ test kit is covered in full by most major health insurance plans and will be provided at no cost to residents without insurance.  For a list of the TOPS Markets® locations distributing kits, visit their website at: www.topsmarkets.com/Departments/Colon_Cancer_Awareness/ or contact the Cancer Services Program at (716) 858-7376.

In addition, Iskalo Development Corporation will illuminate the historic Electric Tower’s upper “lantern section” in blue on Monday, October 23, 2015 to promote awareness of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

About Erie County Cancer Services Program

Erie County Cancer Service Program provides quality breast and cervical testing for women and colon cancer screening for men and women who are uninsured or underinsured. The program is funded by grants from the New York State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control.

About TOPS Markets®

Tops Markets, LLC operates full-service supermarkets in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and western Vermont. Its stores offer frozen, meat, seafood, deli and carryout, bakery, dairy, florist, and pharmacy products, as well as fresh produce. The company also operates playhouses for children in its stores; and gas stations. In addition, it provides franchise opportunities. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Williamsville, New York.

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For more information

Erie County Department of Health – www.erie.gov/health

Erie County Cancer Services Program -- www.cspwny.org

TOPS Markets® -- www.topsmarkets.com/Departments/Colon_Cancer_Awareness/

New York State Department of Health -- www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/colorectal

The American Cancer Society -- http://www.cancer.org/ 

The National Cancer Institute -- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/colorectal-screening 

InSure® FIT™ test kit -- http://www.insuretest.com/patient/information.php

Store Schedule for Distribution of InSure® FIT™ test kits

March 2015

Date

Store #

Location

2 – 6 pm Each Day

 

2-Mar

250

1275 Jefferson Ave

Buffalo

14208

3-Mar

113

425 Niagara Street

Buffalo

14201

4-Mar

108

3201 Southwestern Blvd.

Orchard Park

14127

5-Mar

202

3865 Union Rd.

Cheektowaga

14225

5-MAR

131

700 Thruway Plaza Drive

Cheektowaga

14225

6-Mar

119

2140 Grand Island Blvd

Grand Island

14072

9-Mar

041

3980 Maple Road

Amherst

14226

10-Mar

207

3035 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Amherst

14228

11-Mar

042

3500 Main Street

Amherst

14226

12-Mar

226

890 Young St

Tonawanda

14150

13-Mar

239

1740 Sheridan Drive

Buffalo

14223

16-Mar

114

5175 Broadway

Depew

14043

17-Mar

236

S. 6150 South Park Avenue

Hamburg

14075

18-Mar

261

12775 Broadway

Alden

14004

19-Mar

232

2101 Elmwood Ave.

Buffalo

14207

20-Mar

237

6363 Transit Rd.

Depew

14043

23-Mar

268

6914 Erie Road

Derby

14047

24-Mar

213

1460 S. Park Ave.

Buffalo

14220

25-Mar

220

4777 Transit Rd

Depew

14043

26-Mar

227

9660 Transit Road

East Amherst

14051

26-Mar

224

2309 Maple Road

Amherst

14221

27-Mar

228

150 Niagara Street

Tonawanda

14150

30-Mar

049

355 Orchard Park Rd

West Seneca

14224

31-Mar

210

345 Amherst St.

Buffalo

14207