Saban Community Clinic Fights Colorectal Cancer With Toilet Paper Campaign

LOS ANGELES, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In support of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, Saban Community Clinic launched a patient outreach bilingual campaign at its three clinic sites in the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas using toilet paper in its restrooms to encourage patients 50 and older to get tested by "Checking Their No.2."

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer (commonly known as colon cancer) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States.

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.

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 stool based tests.

Other campaign activities include: toilet papering patient waiting areas, providing patients with message-branded mini toilet rolls, and a #CheckYourNo_2 social media campaign.

The campaign is one of several things the Clinic is doing to work toward the industry-wide shared goal to raise colorectal cancer screening rates in the U.S to 80 percent by the end of 2018 as set by the 80% by 2018 movement led by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, co-founded by the American Cancer Society and the Center for Disease Control Prevention.

"Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can actually be prevented through screening," said the American Cancer Society's Ilda Zepeda. "The work of organizations like Saban Community Clinic will help us meet our goal of 80% screening by 2018."

About Saban Community Clinic
Since 1967, Saban Community Clinic is dedicated to providing affordable and quality comprehensive health care services in a caring environment. The Clinic serves low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals, with more than 100,000 patient visits each year, and three health centers located in the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas.

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SOURCE Saban Community Clinic