Roswell Park Joins ACS, Other Partners in Support of ‘80% by 2018’

In a demonstration of unprecedented regional commitment to fighting colorectal cancer, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center today joined other local health care systems and health insurers in pledging support for the American Cancer Society’s 80% by 2018 initiative, an effort to make sure that 80% of adults age 50 and older are getting recommended screening for colorectal cancer by 2018. Currently, 71.7% of adults in Erie County, NY, are up to date with recommended colorectal cancer screening.

Signing the 80% by 2018 pledge on behalf of Roswell Park at Buffalo City Hall today was Deputy Director Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD.

“We don’t get too many chances to definitively, effectively prevent cancer before it develops, but colon cancer screening is one of them,” says Candace S. Johnson, PhD, Roswell Park President & CEO. “It’s important for every one of us to be aware of our own risk for developing colorectal cancer and to get screened as appropriate, and so we’re proud to stand with the American Cancer Society and all our partners in support of this pioneering effort to keep Western New York healthy.”

“Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem, and today, Buffalo’s health systems have made an unprecedented commitment to increase colorectal cancer screening rates,” adds Richard Wender, MD, chief cancer control officer for the American Cancer Society. “Working together to increase screening will ultimately prevent lives from being needlessly lost to colorectal cancer.”

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with more than 134,000 adults diagnosed with the disease each year. In some cases, colorectal cancer can be prevented through the detection and removal of precancerous polyps. Learn more about colorectal cancer prevention and early detection, and view the ACS’ press release.