Americans are clueless about how fatal colorectal cancer is, according to a survey by the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA). When asked to name diseases that can be
deadly, 99% of those surveyed failed to mention colorectal cancer.
To draw attention to the second leading cause of cancer deaths, CRFA launched a public awareness campaign on March 1 involving U.S. Surgeon General David M. Satcher and several
members of Congress. The campaign, which has a significant legislative focus, appealed to the U.S. Senate to pass a resolution officially designating March 2000 as the first
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The research-driven campaign reveals:
- 56,000 people in the U.S. die from colorectal cancer annually;
- 63% of people 50 years of age and older aren't getting screened; and
- minorities have the lowest awareness and highest death rates.
The campaign, developed by Garrett Yu Hussein, generated the support of 34 healthcare organizations, including the National Cancer Institute, the National Medical Association
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Leading up to the campaign launch, GYH coordinated a radio and satellite media tour for campaign spokespeople and arranged a live satellite interview from Australia with a
leading colorectal cancer researcher.
(GYH, Laura Staich, 202/745-5100)