The Colon Cancer Alliance Partners with Walgreens Pharmacies and Salix Pharmaceuticals for Major Health Education Campaign.

Campaign Kicks Off March

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) has formed a partnership with Walgreens Pharmacies and Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. to raise awareness and increase the number of colorectal cancer screenings. This major health education campaign is being kicked off in March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Informational brochures targeting early detection and the prevention of colorectal cancer will be available at over 5,600 Walgreens locations across the nation and online. The program will also educate the more than 50,000 Walgreens pharmacists and techs to become a resource for consumers who have questions about screening. The public can get more information by calling the CCA's toll free helpline at [phone] or by visiting www.ccalliance.org/crc.

Few Americans know how preventable colorectal cancer really is. It is estimated that widespread screening could save more than 30,000 lives each year.

"So many people are missing a life saving opportunity because they aren't getting screened. We are thrilled to partner with Walgreens and Salix to inform the American public that this is one form of cancer that they can prevent," said Amy Kelly, Co-Founder and Vice President of CCA. "The best strategy we have is to prevent colorectal cancer from occurring."

Less than 50 percent of eligible Americans have undergone screening and more than 45 percent of patients are diagnosed at a time when the cancer has spread to other organs. If detected early, survival rates near 90 percent.

"Our goal is to ultimately lower the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This disease is preventable, treatable and beatable and this campaign helps get us there," added Kelly.

This program addresses awareness, education and ways to talk with your healthcare provider about being screened. Walgreens pharmacy staff will have pocket-sized guidelines for colonoscopy procedures endorsed by the major patient advocacy and professional organizations for quick and easy reference. The CCA's toll free helpline will be available to answer questions and provide support.

The goal of the program is to raise awareness and spur more people to get screened for colorectal cancer. An estimated 32 million patients in 47 states including Puerto Rico will be exposed to this initiative when picking up prescriptions at Walgreens in March.

Despite being preventable and treatable, colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. Every four minutes a person is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, equaling over 154,000 Americans annually. Every nine minutes someone dies from the disease, translating to 55,000 Americans each year. In 2003, the U.S. spent over $6.5 billion treating the disease.

"It is staggering to think that 1 in 18 people could be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. That's why we've designed this program. We are hopeful that equipped with information, more people will go get screened and more lives will be saved," added Kelly.

Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable!

The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the largest national nonprofit colorectal cancer organization and includes nearly 100 chapters nationwide. The CCA is dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer through patient support, education, research and advocacy. The CCA website (www.ccalliance.org) includes information about screening, treatment, clinical trials, quality of life, financial issues and much more. The CCA produces a variety of awareness and educational campaigns and provides support services for patients and their loved ones through a national conference, community-based seminars, a toll free helpline [phone], chat forum and Buddy Program, which provides both survivors and caregivers with a chance to connect with someone who has gone through a similar experience. All of CCA's campaigns, programs and services can be accessed through the helpline or website.