Saban Community Clinic Fights Colorectal Cancer With Toilet Paper

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 1, 2016 – In support of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, Saban Community Clinic has launched a patient outreach bilingual campaign at its three clinic sites in the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas to encourage men and women 50 and older to get tested for colon cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as colon cancer) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. In fact, 49,190 deaths from this type of cancer are estimated during 2016.

Colorectal cancer is preventable and treatable with early detection, yet 1 in 3 adults between 50 and 75 years old are not getting screened as recommended.

“Colorectal cancer in its early stages frequently has no symptoms, so all men and women without additional risk factors should be screened starting at age 50,” said Saban Community Clinic’s associate medical director Dr. David Luna. “When detected early, colorectal cancer treatment can be very effective.”

Saban Community Clinic’s toilet paper campaign addresses a patient’s reluctance to get tested that can stem from not believing they are at risk or a dislike of colonoscopies and not understanding that there are testing options available, including simpler take-home options like the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which works by detecting cancer through hidden blood in stools.

As part of the campaign, patient education activities include: toilet papering restrooms and patient waiting areas with message-branded toilet paper; providing patients with informational material, mini toilet paper rolls and awareness wristbands; and a social media campaign for young adults to encourage parents and/or grandparents 50 and older to get screened.