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News Release                                                        Contact: Andrea Wilson

February 2 , 2007                                                          (806) 763-5033

Wolfforth City Council to Dedicate 2007 to Colon Cancer Prevention

LUBBOCK , TX- Wolfforth Mayor L.C. Childers and the Wolfforth City Council will formally dedicate the year 2007 to colon cancer prevention and detection on Monday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Wolfforth City Hall, 328 East Highway 62/82, on Service Road.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Texas. Over the next 10 years, an estimated 100,000 men and women in the state will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and it will be fatal for approximately 40,000 if preventive actions are not taken.

More than 90% of colon cancers can be prevented from occurring, and most deaths can be avoided if the best currently available technologies are consistently used for screenings through the Wolfforth community.

The Mayor and City Council joined the American Cancer Society and Lubbock Colon Cancer Prevention Task Force in efforts to eliminate colon cancer as a cause of illness and death in our community.

Polyp, a precursor to colorectal cancer, produces no symptoms and, if removed, will prevent it from turning cancerous. In the early stages when it is curable, colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms. One has to look for them specifically in those who are at risk. Thus, the use of screening tests, the removal of polyps and early detection saves lives.

Because the risk of colon cancer increases with age, the American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women of normal health begin preventive screening for colon cancer at the age of 50. Those with a family history of cancer or polyps are at an increased risk and may need to start screening earlier. Those with colon symptoms should seek medical evaluation regardless the age. Approximately one out of ten colorectal cancers occur before age of 50.

The Mayor and Council members encourage Wolfforth citizens to take the initiative to discuss the necessary screening for colon cancer with their healthcare providers. Governor Rick Perry has joined with local leaders in this appeal.

For more information regarding colon cancer prevention, contact Robin Gardner at the American Cancer Society at 792-7128 or Davor Vugrin, MD, Project Director, at 793-0988.

Please join us at the proclamation event and help spread the word. Everyone can make a difference, and by working together, we can make colon cancer history!

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