MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy has teamed up with cancer awareness organization StopColonCancerNow.com to promote colon cancer screening during March.
The Miami-area drug chain said Friday that, as part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, it will work with StopColonCancerNow.com to educate consumers about the importance of colonoscopy for those at risk for colon cancer.
Navarro will offer educational materials in its pharmacies throughout March as well as provide information on colon cancer screening in its advertisements and online.
Employees at each of Navarro’s 33 drug stores also promoted colon cancer awareness on March 1 by participating in National Dress in Blue Day.
"Keeping our customers healthy is part of what we do, and there is no test more important for those who meet the screening guidelines than a colonoscopy," Albert Garcia, executive vice president at Navarro and president of Navarro Health Services, said in a statement. "This partnership is one more way that we are taking care of our customers and helping to make sure they live a healthy life."
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate when colon cancer is detected and treated in the earliest stage is 90%. Screening guidelines advise that patients get a colonoscopy if they are over 50 years old (45 for African-Americans), have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, or are experiencing certain digestive symptoms.
"Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the United States, yet more than 80% of cases could be prevented with timely screenings," stated Simon Behar, M.D., medical director for StopColonCancerNow.com. "Through its commitment to wellness and broad reach in South Florida, Navarro is helping us to spread an important message: a colonoscopy can save your life."
