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Joined by leading professionals from the medical community, Astorino delivered a heartfelt plea based on his own family history with cancer, calling on men to begin the conversation with their doctors and take control of their health.
“This past December, I lost a dear cousin of mine to colon cancer,” Astorino said. “Her painful passing reminded me that I have a history of cancer in my family. In addition to my cousin, we lost our grandfather to the same cancer and my own dad has battled prostate cancer. These are some of the most preventable and detectable cancers. But had I been screened? No.”
Astorino went for his first colonoscopy in February, receiving a clean bill of health. Now with Father’s Day approaching, Astorino used it as an opportunity to issue a call for all men to take control of their health as part of his ongoing #DadBeThere fatherhood initiative.
As a show of his commitment, he also signed a pledge with the American Cancer Society uniting in a shared goal of reaching 80 percent of adults aged 50 and older to be screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.
“The American Cancer Society applauds Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino for uniting around a shared commitment to save lives from cancer, signing the ‘80 by 2018’ pledge and sending a consistent message to the community: Get screened for colorectal cancer,” the organization said in a statement.
Residents are encouraged to join the challenge and promise to undergo a routine screening that may help save their life or a loved one’s.
Take the challenge now, and be entered to win a gift card from the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation.
For residents who need help obtaining health insurance, the Westchester County Department of Health has trained, certified “Navigators” available to provide assistance by calling 914-813-5192.
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