News

The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion has launched a project to get 80 percent of the at-risk population screened for colon cancer, especially the vulnerable uninsured.

To help, the American Cancer Society has awarded the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP) a $5,000 grant to fund education, risk assessments and screenings. 

“Across Georgia, if we can screen 80 percent of adults age 50 and older by the end of 2018 and keep that up, estimates show we can save 5,000 lives,” said Nancy Johnson, executive director of the LCRP.

The Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion 80% by 2018 project is dedicated to the colorectal education and screening of individuals throughout our 34-county service area. This program will be especially helpful to the under- and uninsured patients at the St. Joseph’s/Candler St. Mary’s Health Center and Good Samaritan Health Center. As a part of the state and national 80% by 2018 program, the LCRP has and will continue to educate, distribute fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits in our medical homes and outreach programs and assist disparity populations with screening and treatment.

The project is designed to impact colorectal cancer outcomes in multiple socioeconomic disparity populations in our service area, including African American, Hispanic, white, Asian and especially people served in our medical homes. 

The LCRP will partner with regional health facilities and encourage referrals from physicians as well as affiliated health services, including state and local organizations. 

“We are very excited about the grant from the American Cancer Society,” Johnson said. “This will allow us to heighten awareness about the need for colorectal cancer screening and to increase resources for screening of individuals in medical homes like St. Mary’s Health Center.”

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT

• Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
• There is a 90 percent five-year survival rate if found at the early local stage.
• However, only 39 percent are diagnosed at an early stage, mostly due to low testing rates.

WHO IS AT RISK

• Men and women over the age of 50

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT

• Eat a healthy diet
• Keep your body mass index between 18-25
• Exercise
• Don’t smoke, limit alcohol and soda consumption

HOW IS COLON CANCER DETECTED?

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• A fecal immunochemical test every year, which tests for hidden blood in the stool
• A colonoscopy every 10 years
• A CT colonoscopy every five years