St. John’s Hospitals Light Up Blue for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, affecting men and women of all races

OXNARD, CA – March 2, 2021 – St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), members of Dignity Health, recognize March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In acknowledgment of this month, the Mercy Cross at SJRMC and the main entrance at SJPVH have been lit blue to raise awareness of colon disease.

“This is a great opportunity to remind our community to schedule colorectal cancer screenings,” said Darren W. Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. “Our hospitals and physician offices have taken extensive safety measures to protect both patients and staff, so they can continue to provide excellent quality care during this pandemic.”

More than 75 percent of colon and rectal cancer occurs in individuals with no known risk factors, and they often begin with no symptoms. St. John’s encourages a proactive approach to intercepting this cancer in its earliest stages with regular screenings.

“Colorectal cancer is curable if it is detected at an early stage,” said Chirag Dalsania, MD, Medical Director at St. John’s Regional Cancer Center. “Early detection through screening and appropriate treatment is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.”

Both men and women are equally at risk for colorectal cancer, and the risk of developing this type of cancer increases with age. Learning about colorectal cancer risk factors and having regular screenings can help identify the earliest signs of the disease when treatment can be most effective. For more information about screenings, please call St. John’s Regional Cancer Center at (805) 988-2641.
 

[PHOTOS: Left-St. John's Pleasant Valley; Right-St. John's Regional Medical Center]

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Combined both hospitals have received more than 66 quality awards and have been named among America’s Top 100 Hospitals by Healthgrades. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.