New campaign encourages colon cancer screenings

A new public service announcement aims to encourage Hawaii adults ages 45 to 75 to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Also known as colon cancer, the disease is the secondleading cancer killer in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health. About 700 men and women are diagnosed and 225 people die from colorectal cancer each year, according to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center’s Hawaii Tumor Registry.

“Now is the time to catch up on cancer screenings. Postponing screening visits may delay life-saving treatment,” Deputy Director of Health Resources Danette Wong Tomiyasu said in a news release Wednesday. “We are encouraging everyone to call their health care provider to schedule their overdue screenings. Our health care facilities have put protocols in place to ensure patients can access these services safely during the pandemic.”

Colon cancer screening tests can also find pre-cancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer, DOH said. While routinely recommended for everyone ages 45 to 75, those older than 75 may still choose to be screened and should talk to a health care provider for individualized guidance.

“There are several options for colon cancer screening such as stool tests, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and computed tomography (CT) colonography,” advises Dr. Ankur Jain, the American College of Gastroenterology’s governor for Hawaii and covice chairperson of the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition. “When I meet with patients, I discuss the most appropriate test for their situation. The best colon cancer screening is the one that gets done.”

The Get Screened Hawaii campaign launched in March during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s slated to run through June and includes radio, digital, social media, print and mall advertisements.

For more information, visit getscreened.hawaii.gov.