Open-Door Community Health Centers Join American Cancer Society to Increase Screening Rates

From American Cancer Society, Inc.:

Open Door Community Health Center announced Wednesday, July 6 that it has made a pledge to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates in Westchester and Putnam Counties by supporting the 80 % by 2018 initiative, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (an organization co-founded by ACS and CDC). The pledge signing occurred at the Relay For Life in Ossining, N.Y. on June 25.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths; however, it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.

“Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem, and adults age 50 and older should be regularly screened for it, but we have found that many people aren’t getting tested because they don’t believe they are at risk, don’t understand that there are testing options or don’t think they can afford it,” said Alvaro Carrascal, vice president of health systems for the American Cancer Society. “The truth is that the vast majority of cases of colorectal cancer occur in people age 50 and older. Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so everyone 50 and older should get tested. There are several screening options – even take home options – available. Plus, many public and private insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening, and there may be local resources available to help those that are uninsured.”

“We are thrilled to join the cause to improve colorectal cancer screening rates,” said Daren Wu, Open Door’s chief medical officer, “We are asking all members of our community to come together and join Open Door Family Medical Centers by getting screened and talking to your friends and family, who are over 50 years of age, about getting screened. Together, we can help to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem. Healthcare in America is evolving from a system designed around reacting to diseases and treating illnesses to one that also recognizes the critical importance of preventive care and the earlier detection of potential problems. We have proven cancer screening options that can make a significant impact on an individual's health. Colon cancer screening is one perfect example, where making the decision to have one of the several testing options available can dramatically alter the quality of one's life, simply because early detection can powerfully and positively change the course of this very common cancer.”

While colorectal cancer incidence rates have dropped 30 percent in the U.S. over the last 10 years among adults 50 and older, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. despite being highly preventable, detectable and treatable. In fact, in 2015 in the U.S., 132,700 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed. Contact your primary care physician today to talk about your colorectal cancer screening. Further information is available through the Open Door website.

About “80% by 2018”

"80% by 2018" is a National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) initiative in which more than five hundred organizations have committed to substantially reducing colorectal cancer as a major public health problem and are working toward the shared goal of 80 percent of adults aged 50 and older being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. Leading public health organizations, such as ACS, CDC and the NCCRT, are rallying organizations to embrace this shared goal.

Part of the 80% by 2018 goal is to leverage the energy of multiple and diverse partners to empower communities, patients, providers to increase screening rates. The 80% by 2018 initiative consists of health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, community health centers, government, non-profit organizations and patient advocacy groups who are committed to getting more people screened for colorectal cancer to prevent more cancers and save lives.

About Open Door

For more than 40 years, Open Door Family Medical Centers has delivered state-of-the-art healthcare to low-income residents of Westchester and Putnam Counties. Open Door is a nationally recognized, federally qualified health center, serving 50,000 economically disadvantaged people, 93 percent of whom live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

“All people have the right to pursue healthy and productive lives as contributing members of society," says Lindsay Farrell, Open Door’s CEO and President. “Accessible health care is a major contributor to wellness and a sense of security.”

Open Door’s full-spectrum services provide convenient, one-stop, barrier-free access to primary case, prenatal care, immunizations, women’s health, oral health, behavioral health, wellness and nutrition. Open Door has health centers in Ossining, Port Chester, Mount Cisco, Sleepy Hollow and Brewster in addition to six school-based health centers and two mobile dental vans. Open Door aims for impact at every level, in the lives of each individual and family served, in our local neighborhood and region-wide. Leveraging its potential to influence and inspire future generations of public health professionals, Open Door has successfully spearheaded a dentistry residency and a family medicine residency program with New York Medical College and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center. These efforts are aimed at training and retaining talented medical professionals to work in public health and remain in local communities.

Open Door believes that when you help one person, you can lift up an entire community. When people maintain good health, there are fewer school and work absences and fewer visits to local emergency rooms.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2.5 million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991 and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress, 14.5 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. We're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air and more.