By: Laura Fox, Director, Office of Chronic Disease Prevention

Chances are you have personally been impacted by cancer, whether you know one of the 13.4 million Americans living after a cancer diagnosis or have memories of someone special in your life who is no longer fighting the fight.

Luckily today, more cancer survivors are living long after their diagnoses because of improvements in medical and health services and early detection. Today, about two out of every three people with cancer live at least five years after diagnosis. June is National Cancer Survivorship Month and it is a time to celebrate with your family, friends, and colleagues who have survived cancer!

However, in celebrating survivorship, it is important to remember that cancer survivors are at greater risk for recurrence and for developing second cancers due to the effects of initial treatment. There are many factors that can help maintain a survivor’s health and improve their quality of life after a cancer diagnosis, including quitting tobacco, being active and maintaining a healthy weight, discussing a follow-up care plan with a doctor, and creating a strong support system.

In Baltimore, cancer is the second leading overall cause of death for our residents, and leads to a substantial mortality and morbidity burden. There are many ways to detect certain types of cancers using relatively non-invasive tests, like a mammogram or a colonoscopy. Early detection of breast and colorectal cancers has been associated with better health outcomes. Everyone can help fight cancer by being screened early and regularly.

Baltimore City Health Department’s Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment  Program encourages all Baltimore residents over 50 to get a colonoscopy, which are provided at no cost to Baltimore residents who meet the eligibility criteria.  Unfortunately, in 2010, only 66 percent of our city’s residents over 50 years old received a colonoscopy.

Many public health organizations such as the CDC and the American Cancer Society are coming together with a goal of increasing the nation’s colon cancer testing rate to 80 percent by the year 2018. Our Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen, has pledged Baltimore’s support in joining this national movement.

Screening is the number one way to reduce one’s risk of colon cancer, which, despite its high incidence, is one of the most preventable treatable forms of cancer when found early. About 9 out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later. The CPEST program, which has screened over 1,000 Baltimore City residents, also provides outreach and education in neighborhoods on the importance of cancer screening and living a healthy lifestyle.

June is a time to celebrate all of the cancer survivors and to be an inspiration to those newly diagnosed! Both cancer survivors and all Baltimore residents need to remember to get screened regularly, avoid tobacco, be physically active, consume a healthy diet, and create a healthy support system.