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Arnold School student shares personal story of need for colon cancer prevention efforts, screening to save lives
March 7, 2011
The battle against colon cancer is a personal one for Dawnyéa Jackson.
The Arnold School of Public Health doctoral student lost her "Pop Pop" to colon cancer in March 2007. She is sharing her story this month to bring attention to Colon Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of early screening.
"My step-grandfather, whom I affectionately called Pop Pop, was diagnosed with colon cancer on June 15, 2006, at the age of 55," she said. "My grandmother says she will never forget the day. Pop Pop complained of a stomachache, which is unlike him because even when he was in the worst of pain, he silently dealt with it. My grandmother knew this was something serious."
After rushing him to the hospital, Dawnyéa's grandmother learned that her husband's appendix had burst. But that wasn't the worst of the news. Soon after surgery, he was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. He started chemotherapy and would continue it until December.
"Pop Pop was a fighter; he worked everyday, even through his chemo. He died on a Saturday night, and my mom and I spent some time with him that afternoon, not knowing that it would be our last," she said. "His battle with colon cancer lasted just nine short months."
The doctors told the family that although their loved one didn't know that he had colon cancer, he had to have signs and symptoms that something was wrong – symptoms that he may have ignored, she said.
Dr. Heather Brandt, a faculty member in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, said that the story from Dawnyéa's family occurs too often among African Americans, who have high rates of colon cancer incidence and mortality in South Carolina.
"Colon cancer is one of the most common, deadly, and preventable forms of cancer," said Brandt, who leads the WE CAN! (Wellness, Education, Community Awareness, and Navigation) Colon Cancer Program, funded by The Duke Endowment.
"African Americans have higher rates of death from colon cancer compared to other groups in South Carolina, but prevention and early detection are key to curbing the rate of death," she said. "Today, in South Carolina, two people will die from colon cancer and six people will learn that they have colon cancer. Far too many South Carolinians do not participate in colon cancer screening as recommended because of limited understanding of how to access and actual access to screening services."
The WE CAN! Colon Cancer Program began in 2008 to address the high rates of colon cancer and low rates of colon cancer screening in South Carolina, Brandt said.
"The goal of WE CAN! is to increase awareness of and participation in colon cancer screening among men and women aged 50 and older and African Americans aged 45 and older in Richland and Lexington counties," she said. "To date, almost 4,400 South Carolinians have participated in the WE CAN! educational program, and thousands of others have been exposed to our message through billboards, exhibits, and print campaigns."
Those messages are vital to all families and should be taken seriously, Dawnyéa said.
"My Pop Pop's battle with colon cancer continues to remind me of the importance of talking with your family and your doctors about colon cancer and colon cancer screening," she said. "Screening recommendations start at age 50, 45 for African Americans. Had my grandfather known the importance of colon cancer screening, he would have been screened earlier and been diagnosed at an earlier stage. Or even better, he would not have died as a result of colon cancer.
"My work on the WE CAN! program is my commitment to making sure that other families don't have to go through what my family and Pop Pop went through. The power is in our hands! We have to spread the message and make people aware that WE CAN! prevent colon cancer through proper screening."
Throughout the month of March, WE CAN! is participating in numerous events to share the message of colon cancer prevention and screening:
Friday, March 4: Dress in Blue Day. Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. But it doesn't have to stay this way. Make a difference and help raise awareness for colon cancer by participating in Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 4. Learn how you can get involved at www.dressinblueday.com
Saturday, March 5: Community health and safety fair, 420 Hendrix St., Lexington (Rosenwald Community Learning Center). The fair will be from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Co-sponsors include Lexington Presbyterian, New Bethel AME, and Calvary Chapel churches.
For information or to arrange transportation, call Lexington Presbyterian Church at 359-9501.
Saturday, March 12: 11th Annual Colorectal Cancer Walk at Riverfront Park, Columbia. This event is designed to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer. Registration for the walk begins at 9 a.m.; the walk begins at 10 a.m. For more information, call the Palmetto Health Foundation at 803-434-7275.
Saturday, March 19: 5th Annual Unmasking Colon Cancer Ball, Coplon's, 4824 Forest Drive, Columbia. This gala fundraising event to promote awareness of colon cancer and the importance of screening will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are required for the black tie gala. For more information about the Colon Cancer Ball, visit http://www.cccr.sc.edu/outreach/unmasking2011/index.html.
Saturday, March 26: Colon Cancer Challenge, 2011 Bike Ride, Dutch Fork High School, 1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo. The race registration begins at 8 a.m. for this one-day bicycling event to raise awareness for colon cancer detection, prevention and treatment. For more information about the Bike Ride, visit: http://www.lexmed.com/calendar/special-events/colon-cancer-challenge.aspx.
Saturday, March 26: "Spring into Health: It only takes One Step to Start." This communitywide health fair will be held at W. G. Sanders Middle School, located at 3455 Pine Belt Road in Columbia, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The health fair will include basic health screenings, immunizations, blood pressure and glucose checks, as well as a variety of informational booths promoting health-related programs, services, and providers located in the surrounding community. For more information about the health fair, contact Natalie Pennywell at 803.231.7418 or npennywell@richlandone.org
Monday, March 28: Senior Expo and Fashion Show. The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission will present this program at 485 Brooks Avenue, West Columbia, from 9 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact Leigh Ann Barnes at 803-939-9309.
