Do You Know Your Family's Risk of Colon Cancer?

Learn More During March 20th Program at UConn Health Center 

FARMINGTON, CONN. – No one likes to talk about cancer – especially colon cancer. However, new data indicates that family history, even among second degree relatives, such as aunts, uncles and cousins, increases the risk of colon cancer.

The importance of knowing your family’s medical history will be one of the topics discussed at the next Discovery Series program on Tuesday, March 20, at the University of Connecticut Health Center. As always, the Discovery Series is free and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Keller Auditorium. Registration is required by calling 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692. The snow date for this program is Thursday, March 22.

Joel Levine, M.D., and Daniel Rosenberg, Ph.D., will present new information about identifying risk factors; developing lifelong prevention strategies and new innovations in screening and treatment.

“Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and when it is found late, it can be very difficult to treat. That’s why we are focusing our efforts on the very early detection and, better yet, prevention, of colon cancer,” added Dr. Levine, who is co-director of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program, together with Dr. Rosenberg.

Colon cancer research has been strong for several years at the UConn Health Center. The Colon Cancer Prevention Program opened in 2005, as part of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center. It is open to all men and women over age 18 and is designed to help patients understand their risk of colon cancer – and create personalized cancer prevention plans. Because cancer prevention is a way of life, this unique program offers ongoing support, education and the benefits of today’s latest research advances.

The Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center provides a full spectrum of cancer services, from education and prevention strategies to early detection services, innovative, state-of-the-art treatments, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and support services. In addition, patients at the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center can participate in a range of clinical trials and research studies. Services are provided in a convenient location at the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington. For more information, visit http://cancer.uchc.edu.

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