Feb 15, 2018 Colon Cancer Screening and You -- When and Why? Presented by Saint Barnabas Medical Center

Colon Cancer Screening iPadLivingston, NJ – During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Saint Barnabas Medical Center will hold an education program, Colon Cancer Screening and You -- When and Why?, on March 21, 2018, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, Conference Room A/B, First Floor, 200 South Orange Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039.

While colorectal cancer, commonly called colon cancer, is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, the good news is that it is a preventable, treatable and beatable disease. If found and treated early, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent. The best step a person can take can take to reduce their risk for colon cancer is to get screened.

In most individuals, screening should begin at the age of 50. However, other individuals may need to start earlier, such as those with risk factors that include ethnic background, family or personal history of colon polyps/cancer, or personal history of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

The program, presented by Matthew Askin, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, will address the topics of colon cancer prevention, early detection and the importance of screening. A free fecal immunochemical test (FIT) will be distributed to those who meet screening criteria.

While the program is free, pre-registration is requested by calling 973-322-2671. This event is presented in collaboration with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Screen NJ, a cancer screening, education and awareness program.

Contact: Samantha Anton, Assistant Director Marketing/Public Relations

Date: February 9, 2018

Phone: 973-322-5425