*****MARCH IS NATIONAL COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH****

Digestive Disease Center of the Hudson Valley, a division of Northern Medical Group, is kicking off Colon Cancer Awareness Month with its 5th Annual Do Blue Bash on Thursday, February 28th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Canvas on Main Street in Poughkeepsie.  The event will help raise awareness and raise money for the Digestive Disease Center Community Fund, with the aim of screening the underserved in our community for colon cancer.

The event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 at the door.  All are encouraged to wear blue on the eve of National Dress in Blue day, which is Friday, March 1.  Enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar and listen to colon cancer survivors tell their stories.

“Every ten minutes, someone dies of colon cancer,” says Dr. Simona Meca, a board-certified gastroenterologist with the Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division. “This is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about getting screened for colon cancer.”

Digestive Disease Center recommends that everyone over the age of 50 be screened and undergo a routine colonoscopy every five years.  A colonoscopy may also be necessary at an earlier age if there is personal or a family history of colon cancer.  African Americans are encouraged to begin screenings at the age of 45.

For more information about getting screened for colon cancer, visit DigestiveDiseaseNY.com or call 945-452-9800.

Digestive Disease Center of the Hudson Valley, a division of Northern Medical Group, is dedicated to the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders of the digestive tract. It is the region’s only Gastroenterology group that includes a team of four female gastroenterologists and a Pediatric Gastroenterologist.  All of its physicians are board-certified in Gastroenterology.

Digestive Disease Center has offices in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill.  Like us on Facebook!

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