Campaign to Stop Colon Cancer Now launched in conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The Campaign to Stop Colon Cancer Now, a campaign to increase screenings and prevent the nation's second-leading cancer killer, launched today in conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.

The campaign, powered by AmSurg, with gastroenterologist partners in over 100 communities nationwide, is aimed at educating the public that colonoscopy screening prevents colon cancer, with more than 90 percent of colon cancer cases being curable when discovered via colonoscopy in early stages. Colon cancer continues to be a battle for Americans, with 49,920 reported deaths in the U.S. in 2009, yet it doesn't have to be. Colon cancer screening through colonoscopy is unique in that, if discovered, polyps can be removed during the same screening procedure.

"The risk of a person having colon cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 19 and almost 75 percent of colon cancer cases have no prior family history or symptoms," says Dr. Jay Popp, medical advisor to the Campaign to Stop Colon Cancer Now.  "Our mission with the Stop Colon Cancer Now campaign is to save lives."

Stop Colon Cancer Now, StopColonCancerNow.com, aims to educate the public about early detection and prevention of the disease, to eliminate the stigma associated with colonoscopies, and to increase regular screenings for people over 50 and for people who are at added risk for the disease, including those with a family history of polyps or colon or rectal cancer, African Americans and other minority groups within which the disease is more prevalent or screenings are underperformed.  The campaign will include outreach via local events, media and Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

"The easiest way to prevent colon cancer is to schedule a colonoscopy," says Dr. Popp, "This painless screening test, which takes about 30 minutes, provides important information about one's gastrointestinal health and, for most patients, does not have to be done at a hospital."

No matter where you live or work, StopColonCancerNow.com provides valuable education, colon cancer screening options, screening locations, insightful patient stories and more.

The campaign Web site also offers the opportunity to make a personal pledge to educate family and friends about prevention and the importance of getting a colonoscopy. For each person who takes the pledge, AmSurg will make a donation to colon cancer prevention charities. Understanding that people may need some additional motivation, those taking the pledge will also be entered into the Stop Colon Cancer Now contest  for the chance to win a flat-screen television.