State Doctors and American Cancer Society Partner to Fight Colon Cancer
| Date: March 2, 2009 |
Media Contact: |
Chuck Moran |
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Pennsylvania Medical Society |
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(717) 558-7820 |
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Daneen Baird |
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American Cancer Society |
| For Immediate Release |
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(215) 985-5373 |
(Harrisburg, PA) When it comes to fighting cancer, most Pennsylvanians know the importance of age-appropriate screenings, according to The Patient Poll conducted in January 2009 by the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Furthermore, many recognize the important role of a colonoscopy.
Yet, colorectal cancer screening rates in Pennsylvania are lower than most other states in the nation, while the incidence and mortality rates for colon cancer in Pennsylvania are higher than the national average. In fact, this year alone nearly 2,500 Pennsylvanians will die from colorectal cancer.
As such, the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society are joining forces to improve these statistics.
“When colorectal cancers are detected early, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent,” said Dr. Enrique Hernandez, President, American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division. “But only 39 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at this stage, primarily due to low screening rates.”
While a significant part of the campaign to improve colon cancer statistics is directed towards the public, the partnership with the Pennsylvania Medical Society will tap the physician population to educate their patients about the importance of colon cancer screenings.
“Increasing patient awareness of colorectal cancer screenings is of great importance,” said Daniel J. Glunk, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. “As part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we’re asking all of our physician members to talk to every patient over 50 years of age about the need for a screening.” <
Peter S. Lund, MD, founder of the Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, adds, “As a whole, every day Pennsylvania physicians see thousands of patients. It makes sense to reach out to the public through physicians to improve screening rates.”
To assist physicians, the American Cancer Society has created various resources, both in English and Spanish. The Pennsylvania Medical Society will reach out to its members through member newsletters and meetings about these resources from the American Cancer Society. These resources are available at www.cancer.org/colonpa.
The campaign runs throughout March and April, and is part of an ongoing partnership between the American Cancer Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 800-ACS-2345.
About the Pennsylvania Medical Society
The Institute for Good Medicine at the Pennsylvania Medical Society was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of Pennsylvania patients, reaching out to the community on health issues, and addressing medical professionalism. This includes polling patients on health matters and then providing education on those topics, mentoring young physicians and students, and encouraging good will among the physician population.
The patient-doctor relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. The Medical Society listens to concerns of both patients and doctors to improve the delivery of health care services.
January 2009 Patient Poll background
Conducted: January 19-23, 2009
Margin of Error: 5.67 percent
Eligibility: Pennsylvania adults age 21 or older
Survey Consultants: Taylor Brand Group, Lancaster, Pa., and Greenfield Online, Connecticut.
Question: How familiar are you with cancer screening guidelines?
I know all of my age-appropriate screenings: 28.8%
I know some but not all of my age-appropriate screenings: 44.0%
I don’t know what cancer screenings I should have: 27.2%
Question: Which of the following is NOT used as part of a cancer screening?
Mammograms: 0.0%
Pap test: 1.6%
Vision/eye exam: 46.5%
PSA Test: 0.6%
Colonoscopy: 0.0%
None of the above are used to detect cancer: 1.3%
All of the above are used to detect cancer: 50.0%
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Last Updated: 3/3/2009