FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, March 8, 2017
CONTACT:  Karen Cudmore, (605) 773-3737  

      SD Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Recognizes Efforts to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening

PIERRE, S.D. – A South Dakota health care professional and a health care facility are being recognized for their efforts to increase colorectal cancer screening as part of a national effort to screen 80 percent of the eligible population by 2018.

The state’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Colorectal Cancer Task Force has honored Sara Romeo, RN Navigator for Falls Community Health, and Sanford Health Family Medicine Clinics in the Sioux Falls Region for increasing screening rates among their eligible patients. Sara was awarded the 80 percent by 2018 Champion of the Year Award and Sanford Health Family Medicine Clinics received the 80 percent by 2018 Organization of the Year Award.

“The staff at the Sanford Health Family Medicine Clinics and Sara Romeo should be applauded for their hard work and dedication to increase colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in South Dakota,” said Karen Cudmore, cancer programs director for the Department of Health; “We know that colorectal cancer screening tests can save lives, but the reality is too many adults aren’t following the recommendation for regular screening beginning at age 50.”

According to the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, just 66.7 percent of South Dakota adults aged 50 to 75 were up to date with colorectal cancer screening. The state is part of a national effort working toward the goal of increasing colorectal cancer screening rates to 80 percent by 2018.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Men and women age 50 to 75 should talk to their healthcare provider about getting screened for colorectal cancer. For more information about screening, go to GetScreened.SD.gov.

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Increasing the number of adults over the age of 50 that are up to date on colorectal cancer screening is a key objective of the Department of Health’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan.

(See the multimedia section of the state news site for photos of the award winners.)