Compared to a few decades ago, colon cancer patients have a promising outlook.
While enhanced treatment options have helped create more survivors, so has a focus on increased screenings.
If you can catch it early, you can cure it early.
But what happens during a pandemic and nationwide trends show a decline in cancer screenings – a decline that includes African American patients who are already at a higher risk for developing colon cancer?
Riverside Health System is working with the 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula, Inc. to present “Colon Cancer and the Black Community: Know Your Risk in the Age of COVID-19.”
It’s a free webinar on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon, according to a news release from Riverside Health.
Speakers include:
- Navy Rear Adm. Richardae Araojo, Pharm.D., MS Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
- James H. Mixon, M.D., Family Medicine, Primary Care, Riverside Medical Group,
- Michael Ney, M.D., Gastroenterology, Riverside Medical Group, and
- Olumide Ajayeoba, M.D., Gastroenterology, Riverside Medical Group.
“Health and Wellness is a program focus area for the 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula, Inc.,” said Delvin Peeks, a system director with Riverside who is helping bring together the event. “Colon cancer is one of those diseases we know can impact people at a number of different ages.”
That fact was tragically underscored recently, Peeks said, with the death of famed actor Chadwick Boseman, who lost his battle with colon cancer at the age of 43.
“But colon cancer is also one of those cancers that can be beat if it’s caught early,” Peeks said. “Catching it early can be done when people know more about their risk factors and are screened.”
The goal of the event is to ultimately help save lives by increasing the number of people getting screened for colon cancer, Peeks said.
Speakers will focus on what patients should know about colon cancer, the various types of screenings available to them, what a colonoscopy is like and what the different treatment and procedure options are if and when a screening uncovers possible cancer.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
“It’s meaningful to have Riverside involved in this important educational community event,” Peeks said. “As a health system we have to be accessible, and provide safe, quality care to all people. This partnership with the 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula, Inc. is a way for us to be proactive in the community and help share an important message.”
Advance online registration is required to attend the webinar. Register here.
For more information on the webinar visit 100blackmenva.org or call 757-726-7027. For more information on colon screening, click here.
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