| June 29, 2009 | Media contact: Haley Otman E-mail: otmanh@med.umich.edu Phone: 734-764-2220 |
Event to teach the Pathway to a Healthy Colon
U-M experts to share preventive information on colorectal cancer
African-Americans have a higher incidence rate of colorectal cancer than their Caucasian counterparts, though the disease is thought of as a white male's disease.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Colorectal cancer screening can prevent more deaths than breast or prostate cancer screening can, yet colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and the third most common cancer in African-Americans.
“The incidence rates of colorectal cancer in African-Americans are actually higher than in Caucasians, and the mortality rates are higher,” said D. Kim Turgeon, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Turgeon will speak July 11 at an interactive event called “Pathway to a Healthy Colon,” which will be at the Marriott Conference Center at Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti. The event is sponsored by the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with the Ann Arbor chapter of the Oncology Nurses Society, Eastern Michigan University and the American Cancer Society. The Michigan Public Health Institute also provided grant funding.
In addition to Turgeon, “Pathway to a Healthy Colon” will feature Bertha Aycock, R.D., a nutrition specialist at the U-M Program for Multicultural Health.
Turgeon, a gastroenterologist, will speak about colorectal cancer screening. Aycock, a registered dietician who specializes in chronic disease prevention and management, will speak about foods that help protect against cancer.
“Colon cancer has been thought of as a white man’s disease, and the truth really is that colon cancer can affect anyone,” Turgeon said.
The event will include a free brunch, smoothies, recipes and door prizes, including a $200 gift card. Register by calling 734-998-7071.
Colorectal cancer statistics: 146,970 Americans will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer this year and 49,920 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
Pathway to a Healthy Colon
Time: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009
Location: Marriott Conference Center at Eagle Crest, 1275 South Huron St., Ypsilanti
Information: 734-998-7071
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