Eighty percent by 2018.  That's the goal of the American Cancer Society when it comes to colorectal cancer screening.

A number of Mohawk Valley employers and healthcare systems are joining the effort to increase the number of those being screened for colon cancer to 80 percent by 2018.

Organizations signing the pledge include Oneida County, Madison County, Oneida Healthcare, Mohawk Valley Health System, Rome Memorial Hospital, Rome Medical Group, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Slocum Dickson Medical Group and YMCA Greater Tri-Valley.

Peter Cittadino of the American Cancer Society says when that goal is achieved, they will have prevented 277,000 cases of colorectal cancer

Cittadino says right now, the number of adults 50 and older up who are up to date with their colorectal cancer screenings is over 72 percent in Oneida County.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Screening Month.

Fore more information on the 80 percent by 2018 initiative, visit www.nccrt.org.

 

Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
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