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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
RICHARD A. MOCCIA
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March 1, 2007
Letter to the Editor:
The City of Norwalk and the American Cancer Society are working together to raise awareness about colon cancer.
March marks the 8th year of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - a month dedicated to raising awareness that this third leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States is largely preventable. In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimated that more than 154,000 Americans would be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 52,180 would die. In Connecticut, 1,900 will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year, and 700 will die.
Perhaps the least understood and most compelling aspect of colon cancer is that it can be stopped before it starts if precancerous polyps are found and removed during early detection testing – thereby avoiding the disease completely. It’s important to go in for testing and not wait for symptoms, which may not appear until the disease has progressed into more advanced stages. Despite overwhelming evidence that screening tests can save lives, many Americans still are not following recommendations from the American Cancer Society and others for early detection.
Asking about colon cancer testing isn't always easy. The American Cancer Society can help. Call the American Cancer Society anytime, day or night, at 1-800-ACS-2345. They can tell you more about the tests, help you talk to your doctor, or just listen to your concerns.
This March, talk to your doctor about colon cancer testing and encourage loved ones to get tested too. Get the test. Get the polyp. Get the cure.
Dick Moccia
Richard A. Moccia, Mayor
POST OFFICE BOX 5125 °125 EAST AVENUE
NORWALK, CT 06856-5125
°TELEPHONE 203-854-7701 °FAX 203-854-7939
°E-MAIL rmoccia@norwalkct.org
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