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	Sharing Stories of Hope, Progress, and Answers Across Indiana and Michigan v.17, March 2008

education

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network promotes colorectal cancer screenings
Nearly 50,000 colorectal cancer deaths each year could be avoided if everyone at risk for the disease were simply screened for the disease, the third highest cause of cancer deaths. This is the motivation behind the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Network (CRAN), an alliance of over 300 individuals and organizations in Michigan and Indiana with a shared mission of promoting colorectal cancer awareness and preventative screenings in their local communities.

fresh vegetables Colorectal screenings allow doctors to easily remove polyps (growths that can become cancerous) before they become a health threat. Currently, less than 35 percent of Hoosiers and 45 percent of Michiganders aged 50 and over have been screened for colorectal cancer in the past five years. The goal of all CRAN groups is to significantly increase this number to 50 percent. CRAN groups work within their communities to promote colorectal cancer awareness and create partnerships with other organizations, such as local hospitals and health departments. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and many CRAN groups are increasing their efforts to promote awareness.

CRAN groups in Northern Michigan’s Crawford and Roscommon counties are currently working with other community organizations to offer free cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured men and women for the second straight year. "We all realized that we needed to do some education and awareness," said Sandy Grushesky, ACS Community Program Representative for Northern Michigan.

The group hopes to screen 50 people for colorectal and other cancers on April 17 by partnering with Mercy Hospital Grayling, District Health Department #10, Central Michigan District Health Department, and local providers. The district has a colorectal grant from the state that allows any screening participant with a positive fecal occult blood test to have a colonoscopy.

In Indianapolis, CRAN members are promoting screening awareness by distributing 60,000 fliers through Meijer and Walgreens pharmacies in central Indiana. The fliers, which will be stapled to prescription bags during March, will increase awareness of the screening options for colon cancer and the importance of talking to your doctor about screening after the age of 50. St. Francis Hospital, a partner in the CRAN group, is distributing an additional 60,000 fliers through the pharmacies of Kroger and CVS stores.

The CRAN group in Michigan’s Bay Area is focusing on the areas of community education, employer education, and medical professional education. The group is working to promote awareness within doctors’ offices by giving a colorectal blue star pin to all local primary care physicians, along with colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

The Bay Area CRAN is also partnering with local news station WNEM 5 to kick off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with a day-long phone bank. "People can call in and ask questions of medical professionals about colorectal cancer," explained Heather Bastedo, ACS Community Program Manager for the Bay Area.

These are just a few examples of the many ways CRAN groups promote colorectal cancer awareness in their communities. To get involved in CRAN, contact your local area service center. For more information about colorectal screenings, visit www.cancer.org/colon or call 1-800-ACS-2345.

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