AUBURN — Residents driving downtown at night may have noticedlamp posts along Genesee Street and on North and South streetsdecorated in glowing blue lights.

Struggling to figure out what holiday would cause the streets ofAuburn to be shining with blue lights could be tough, but thewell-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday at theintersection of Genesee Street and Dill/William streets spelled itout. March is colon cancer awareness month. Blue is the colorassociated with colon cancer.

The wide, blue ribbon that crossed Genesee Street read, “MainStreet Goes Blue.” The Main Street Goes Blue campaign is statewideand the Cayuga County Health Department’s Cancer Services Programhas joined efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of coloncancer and the ease with which it can be prevented.

Ed Towle, of Auburn, broke down in tears at the podium as hedescribed what it felt like to find out he had cancer and wonder ifhe’d be able to work, pay rent and be there for his family.

He was 39 last year when he was diagnosed with stage three coloncancer. he recently completed a round of treatments and is hopingfor the best.

“It’s been a long road,” he said. “You never know … cancer has noage limits.”

Towle said the cost of diagnostics is sometimes prohibitive foruninsured people. other reasons people do not get tested is thefear of the colonoscopy procedure.

“It’s not a bad procedure,” he said. “If (colon cancer) is detectedearly enough, you can beat it.”

Others assume they are healthy and do not get tested even after age50.

“I thought I was healthy,” Towle said. “I never thought I was goingto end up with colon cancer. it doesn’t run in my family.”

Michele Sedor, who was diagnosed at 44, is a seven-year survivor.She had no symptoms when she was diagnosed, but her doctor advisedher to get a colonoscopy after her sister was diagnosed. Sedor hadstage three colon cancer.

“It’s just so important for people to get a colonoscopy,” she said.“It’s a test that can save your life.”

Sedor has hope that one day, colon cancer will be widely discussedand awareness will improve.

“I believe at some point, colon cancer will be talked about likebreast cancer is,” she said. “It’ll take time.”

Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 282-2239 . Follow her on Twitter at CitizenVoll

Siân James MP, Chair of the Melanoma Taskforce, a group of leading skin cancer experts, has welcomed the Government’s new cancer reform strategy, ‘Improved Outcomes: a Strategy for Cancer’, announced on Wednesday, but called for more action to tackle the alarming rise in the incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Applauding the extra focus and funding that is to be given to improved prevention strategies and the increased focus on diagnosing all cancers early, she particularly welcomed the publication of 2015 Skin Cancer Visions, which set out the direction of travel for skin cancer services over the next four years. Of the proposals that make up the new Visions, 17 directly echo the recommendations made by the Melanoma Taskforce in its report last year. Siân James MP today called on the Government to implement these recommendations to prevent the further rise of melanoma, which killed more than 2,000 people in the UK in 2008. Praising the impact of the Melanoma Taskforce in the formation of the Visions, Siân James MP highlighted some of the most important areas where the Government should take immediate steps to ensure the Visions become reality: • Skin cancer charities should work collaboratively with public health directors to target messages about the dangers of overexposure to the sun and the importance of early detection to the most susceptible groups. • Quality Standards in melanoma should be introduced to provide a robust service framework and outcome goals that will guide the new GP consortia in commissioning skin cancer services. • more training in dermatology for GPs should be provided including mandatory training in how to recognise melanoma in order to improve early diagnosis. • as it is likely that there will be an increasing number of patients with metastatic disease, consideration should be given to how their management should be different from those with primary skin cancers. Commenting on the new Strategy and Skin Cancer Visions, Siân James MP said: “I am delighted that the Government’s new cancer strategy recognises the important role that prevention and awareness campaigns can play in tackling the rising incidence of skin cancer. the Sunbed bill comes into effect from April this year and will play a large role in prevention strategies. it is equally important that GPs and all professionals that come into contact with people’s skin are given the training to spot the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and that patients with melanoma are able to access the best treatment and care.”  

For more information:dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_123371

Editor’s DetailsPharmiWeb EditorPharmiWeb.compharmiweb.com

Last updated on: 14/01/2011 09:44:20