York County Communities Going Blue to Increase Awareness of Colorectal Cancer
In York County communities are illuminating prominent buildings in blue in support of Turning York County Blue, for colorectal cancer awareness. To date the following municipalities and organizations have joined the cause; Biddeford, Saco,York, Ogunquit, Acton,York Hospital,Goodall Hospital and the Cancer Care Center of York County.
Turn York County Blue is part of a larger statewide initiative Turn Maine Blue, an initiative of the Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal is to increase awareness of colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection and prevention of this disease. As part of this initiative, communities and organizations across Maine have been asked to illuminate their buildings blue throughout March, and the public is encouraged to wear blue articles of clothing on Friday, March 2nd, which is nationally designated as Dress in Blue Day. Blue is the official color of colorectal cancer awareness. Southern Maine Medical Center,Goodall Hospital and York Hospital will all be promoting Dress in Blue Day to their employees.
In 2011, almost 800 Mainers were diagnosed with colon cancer and approximately 260 died from the disease. From 2004-2006 there were 818 cases of colorectal cancer in the state of Maine, with 117 of them in York County. Over 80% of all cases can be prevented with recommended screenings. Recommended screening means having your colon checked regularly if you are age 50 or older – or sooner if you are at high risk. Screening saves lives. For more information on colorectal cancer and the risk factors for it visit www.ColonScreenME.org.
Colorectal cancer prevention awareness efforts in York County are supported by Choose To Be Healthy, Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition and Partners for Healthier Communities, which are three of 27 Healthy Maine Partnerships that work to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and substance abuse in York County.
The Healthy Maine Partnerships are largely funded with tobacco settlement money from the Fund for a Healthy Maine through the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). Additional financial and in-kind support comes from federal and state grants, foundations, local organizations and our lead agencies, York Hospital, University of New England – College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Goodall Hospital. For more information on the Colorectal Cancer prevention awareness efforts in York County please contact Meg Ladd, at (207)439-2037 or mladd@yorkhospital.com.
