National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer so it is important that behavioral health providers learn the risks of colorectal cancer and encourage their clients to get screened.

Visit the CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign to download factsheets, brochures, and educational materials for your clients.

The CDC has also released six video Public Service Announcements:

• Community Garden
  These PSAs use animation to encourage screening for colorectal cancer among adults aged 50–75. The PSAs counter myths and excuses that people use to avoid screening.
  • English: 60 seconds and 30 seconds
  • Spanish: 60 seconds and 30 seconds

• Control (featuring Meryl Streep)
  Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep says, “There is so much in life we can’t control. But here’s something we can: colorectal cancer.” She talks about getting screened herself and urges others to do the same.
  • Radio: 60 seconds and 30 seconds
  • TV: 60 seconds, 30 seconds version A, 30 seconds version B, and 20 seconds
• No Excuses
  Diverse men and women ask questions about colorectal cancer and learn why, when, and how to get screened.
  • English: 60 seconds and 30 seconds\
  • Spanish: 60 seconds and 30 seconds
• This Is Personal (featuring Terrence Howard)
  Golden Globe- and Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard talks about losing his mother to colorectal cancer and urges people to be screened for the disease.
  • Radio: 60 seconds and 20 seconds
  • TV: 60 seconds and 30 seconds
• Your Wake-Up Call (featuring Terrence Howard)
  Mr. Howard talks about how his mother’s death from colorectal cancer can serve as a wake-up call to viewers to get screened.
  • TV: 60 seconds
• The Screening (featuring Jimmy Smits)
  Set in a movie screening room, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor Jimmy Smits explains how a different kind of screening—for colorectal cancer—saves lives.
  • English audio: 30 seconds and 20 seconds
  • English TV: 40 seconds, 30 seconds, and 20 seconds
  • Spanish Radio: 30 seconds and 20 seconds
  • Spanish TV: 30 seconds and 20 seconds