Our awareness goals focus on educating the public about early detection, prevention strategies, and facts about colon cancer. The first awareness project will be a 30 second public service announcement commercial to air in the Washington DC Metro Area, which will transmit the following information:

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. More than 145,000 new cases were diagnosed this year, and more than 49,000 people died from this disease each year over the past 5 years.

• Young people can get colon cancer too! Do not wait to be screened.

• With early detection, colorectal cancer is preventable. Colonoscopies remove polyps on the spot.

• if you have a history of colon cancer in your family it is reccomended that you have a colonoscopy at age 40.

• Colorectal screening is imperative for everyone at age 50. Please see the most up to date screening guidelines to learn how to prevent this disease.

• Women with a history of ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer have a higher than average chance of developing colorectal cancer.

• Patients with a family history of the disease more likely to develop this type of cancer themselves.

• Colorectal cancer may be associated with high dietary consumption of red and processed meats and low consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

• A sedentary lifestyle may be associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

• Cigarette smoking, particularly long-term smoking, increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

We will significantly add impact to the growing awareness for colon cancer by saturating the DC area with the ad and connecting people to local screening centers and online resources.