To The Editor:
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. We need to pay attention to it and help spread awareness of the value of an early screening (colonoscopies). If everyone aged 50 years or older had regular screening tests, at least 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
Awareness Month is being kicked off this year with “Dress in Blue Day” on Friday, March 2. Blue is the color adopted by the colon cancer awareness folks, and appears in their national symbol, the blue star.
Colon cancer survivors in the Hudson County area can meet with others to discuss finding “HOPE” (Healing, Options, Peer Support, Education) and pick up their “Blue Star Pin” (the national emblem of colorectal cancer) at the upcoming support group meetings: Ostomy Alliance of Jersey City, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, March 5 from 4 to 6
p.m. (Room 9); Bayonne Ostomy Alliance, Bayonne Medical Center, 29th Street at Avenue E, March 14, 2 to 3 p.m. (2 B Conference Room).
Thanks, and please get screened. It could save your life!
LAWRENCE (LARRY) PILARSKI
Bayonne Ostomy Alliance
Ostomy Alliance of Jersey City