Three Rivers Endoscopy Center was proud to be a cosponsor of this event and also provided an educational booth staffed by nurses Cindy Baldi and Debbie Christman. They answered questions and handed out patient educational literature. A DVD video produced by Dr. Robert Fusco was shown with examples of what the doctor sees at colononscopy. Participants were offered free subscriptions to our health and nutrition e-newsletter. To make it more interesting, new subscribers were entered into an upcoming drawing for a $500 gift certificate to BEST BUY electonics store.

"The Big Blue Quest is yet another commitment to increasing colorectal cancer screening awareness in the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas," said David Medich, M.D., Director of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at AGH. "Screenings for colorectal cancer lag far behind those for other cancers such as breast, cervical, and prostate cancer despite the widespread availability of highly effective colorectal screening tests. This first event was very successful and we hope for an even bigger turnout next year."

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. The disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality, second only to lung cancer in numbers of deaths. All adults are at risk.With approximately 148,300 new cases diagnosed each year, more than 56,000 people will die from colorectal cancer this year alone. And as with most forms of cancer, early detection via regular screening and treatment are the keys to beating the disease. Colon and rectal cancer is preventable, and we have a unique opportunity in that we can change the natural course of the disease.