MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2025 — Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month may begin in March, but the Livingston County Department of Health is wasting no time in spreading a life-saving message to all County residents: If you are 45 years of age or older, get screened for colorectal cancer today.
Reinforcing their life-saving message, Health Department officials, alongside community health partners, today unveiled a new colon cancer screening awareness banner to be prominently displayed in towns throughout the County. It encourages residents to get screened for colon cancer and includes revised age recommendations for early screening at age 45.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in New York State among both men and women, according to the NYS Department of Health, second only to lung cancer. Joining with community health partners at the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region and the University of Rochester Medical Center, the County’s Department of Health is working to change this statistic through the “Main Street Goes Blue” campaign. The initiative aims to fight colorectal cancer by increasing screening rates in New York.
“The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 152,000 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year alone,” said Livingston County Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez. “We’re spreading the word that colon cancer can be prevented with regular screenings. New guidelines now recommend adults to start colon cancer screening at age 45. This is five years earlier than the previous recommendation, due to a reported rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults. We want to get the word out to everyone in our community to check with their healthcare provider to get preventative screening done today if you’re at risk.”
The Health Department’s new 36-foot wide colon cancer awareness banner was purchased with funds from Strollin’ for the Colon, a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and education about proper screening and early detection for colon cancer. Each year, the group hosts a 5k walk/run to raise funds to support those fighting colorectal cancer. Sponsored by University of Rochester Medical Center's Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 13, at Mendon Ponds Park.
“We’d also like residents to know that at-home screening tests are an effective tool for average risk people ages 45 and older to screen for colon cancer,” added Rodriguez. “Free colon cancer screenings are available for eligible uninsured people living in New York State. You can call the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region to learn more at 585-224-3070.”
The Health Department has been a participant in the “Main Street Goes Blue” campaign since 2011. In 2019, Livingston County achieved the national goal of screening 80% of adults ages 50 and older for colorectal cancer. This year, County staff members will dress in blue on the first Friday of March to continue spreading awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection through colon cancer screenings.
For more, call the Livingston County Department of Health at 585-243-7270.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.