“Dress in Blue” Day Raises Awareness of Colorectal Cancer

Despite effective screening methods and treatment options, colorectal cancer remains a significant cause of disability.

That’s why West Park Hospital’s Prevention and Wellness office is promoting Dress In Blue Day this Friday, an awareness campaign that brings a little fun to an often uncomfortable topic.

Listed as the second leading cause of cancer deaths, colon cancer is treatable when detected early. But because there are seldom symptoms of this type of cancer until it’s in an advanced stage, screening is the only way to catch it before it’s too late. However, fewer than half of men and women over age 50 are screened as recommended, and Amanda Brengle from the Prevention and Wellness Office in Cody says that in Wyoming the statistics are worse.

Val Walsh Haines adds, though, that if you are over the age of 50, or if there is a history of colorectal cancer in your family, you should schedule a colonoscopy.

Big Horn Basin residents are encouraged to help raise awareness of this preventable disease by dressing in blue on Friday with your co-workers, then upload a fun group selfie to mybighornbasin.com. The winners, with the most creative photos, will win a free lunch delivered to their office by the staffers at West Park Hospital Prevention and Wellness.