CSI: New York actor Hill Harper has joined forces with the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), representing doctors who specialize in endoscopy and colon cancer screening, in a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) to encourage African-Americans to undergo screening for colon cancer.
Colon cancer kills nearly 50,000 people each year, with a disproportionate frequency in the African-American community. Many of those deaths could be prevented with earlier detection. Colonoscopy screening for colon (or colorectal) cancer is particularly valuable because it allows the doctor to find polyps - growths in the colon or rectum that may become cancer - and remove them before the polyps have the opportunity to turn into cancer. The PSA, "Catch a Killer: Get Screened for Colon Cancer," is a part of ASGE's public outreach initiatives for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. The PSA can be found on ASGE's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ASGEGIEndoscopy.
"We are excited to be partnering with Hill Harper to spread the word in the African-American community about the importance of colon cancer screening. Guidelines suggest that people at average risk for developing colon cancer begin screening at age 50; however, some studies have shown that African-Americans are more frequently diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age. Therefore, some experts suggest that African-Americans begin screening at age 45," said Jacques Van Dam, M.D., Ph.D., FASGE, president, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. "This is a preventable disease, and African-Americans can help reduce their risk of colon cancer by learning about the disease, knowing their family's medical history, and by speaking with their doctor about risk factors to determine an appropriate screening schedule."