MedStar Franklin Square Blue Lights for Colon Cancer Awareness

This month's striking blue lights at MedStar Franklin Square Hospital on the corner of its surgical center and on its main tower can be seen for miles, highlighting Colon Cancer Awareness Month and encouraging the community to get up to date on their colorectal cancer screenings, which may have been interrupted by the pandemic. Cancer screenings dropped dramatically during the past year. Due to COVID-19, colonoscopies declined nearly 90% in April 2020 from the previous year which could result in an addition 4,500 colorectal cancer deaths nationwide in the next ten years.

The BLUE FOR COLORECTAL CANCER (#MDBlueforCRC) for colorectal cancer awareness is taking place across the region, and many other MedStar hospitals are joining in, as well as landmarks and private buildings are lighting up blue. The American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) led this initiative to join the Colon Cancer Coalition's #BlueForCRC initiative, which has encouraged places across the country to GO BLUE.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the US but is also one of the few cancers that can be prevented through timely screening and removal of pre-cancerous polyps. For those reluctant to leave home for a screening colonoscopy during the pandemic, there are at-home options. Talk with your doctor about returning to screening.

• The American Cancer Society recommends that screening begin at age 45 for adults with average risk; the USPSTF recent draft recommendations recently matched this age.
• Screening may begin earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Colorectal cancer is increasing among younger adults; one in five colorectal cancer patients are ages 20-55.

In 2021, an estimated 149,500 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and about 52,980 people will die from these cancers; in Maryland an estimated 2,550 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and about 1,050 colorectal cancer deaths will occur. Black Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the US. Reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer are complex, but largely reflect differences in risk factor prevalence and health care access, both of which are related to socioeconomic status.

Risk Factors: Based on an ACS study, more than half (55%) of colorectal cancers in the U.S. are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. Modifiable factors that increase risk include obesity, physical inactivity, long-term smoking, high consumption of red or processed meat, low calcium intake, moderate to heavy alcohol consumption, and very low intake of fruits and vegetables and whole-grain fiber. Colorectal cancer risk factors that are not modifiable include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.

For more information or to help find the nearest screening options, www.cancer.org/fightcoloncance... or call 1-800-227-2345.

Here's the entire list of area buildings going blue for March; some are lit on specific dates only:

• Ascension St. Agnes Hospital – March 5 -12*
• Baltimore Center Stage – Mondays-Fridays in March*
• Baltimore City Hall Dome – March 9*
• Baltimore Fire Officers Local 964
• Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734
• Bromo Seltzer Tower
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Canton – March 9*
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center – March 8-31*
• Governor’s Mansion – March 12*
• Horseshoe Casino
• Medstar Franklin Square Hospital
• Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital
• Medstar Union Memorial Hospital
• Patterson Park Pagoda – March 9-11*
• Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium
• University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center – March 9*
• University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center – March 5-12*
• University of Maryland St Joseph Medical Center – March 8-31*
• World Trade Center Baltimore

In 2021, an estimated 149,500 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and about 52,980 people will die from these cancers, and in Maryland an estimated 2,550 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and about 1,050 colorectal cancer deaths will occur. Black Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the US. Reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer are complex, but largely reflect differences in risk factor prevalence and health care access, both of which are related to socioeconomic status.

• The American Cancer Society recommends that screening begin at age 45 for adults with average risk; USPSTF recent draft recommendations recently matched this age.
• Screening may begin earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Colorectal cancer is increasing among younger adults; one in five colorectal cancer patients are ages 20-55.

Risk Factors: Based on an ACS study, more than half (55%) of colorectal cancers in the U.S. are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. Modifiable factors that increase risk include obesity, physical inactivity, long-term smoking, high consumption of red or processed meat, low calcium intake, moderate to heavy alcohol consumption, and very low intake of fruits and vegetables and whole-grain fiber. Colorectal cancer risk factors that are not modifiable include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.

For more information or to help find the nearest screening options, www.cancer.org/fightcoloncancer or 1-800-227-2345.

About the American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.

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