Newsroom

Katie Couric, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and its Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance want you to “make that call” to your doctor for colon cancer screening if you are 50 or older or otherwise at high risk for colon cancer.

The annual citywide Make That Call campaign to increase colon cancer screening will run throughout March in recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

“With appropriate screening, colon cancer is often preventable and, when detected early, highly curable,” said Couric. “Colonoscopies – and other screening methods – save lives. That's what Make That Call is all about—understanding you can take charge of your health. So make that call, for yourself or someone you love.”

Collaborating on this initiative are the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Colon Cancer Alliance, and the New York Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

“We are thankful to our friend Katie Couric for her longtime commitment to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital,” said Dr. Steven J. Corwin, CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “As the founder of our Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, she has worked tirelessly to educate the public on the importance of colon cancer screening. With Katie’s leadership and the support of all of this year’s collaborators, the Make that Call campaign will again help save lives.”

Reasons to Make That Call to Your Doctor

• Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
• Colon cancer affects men and women equally.
• Symptoms for colon cancer may include rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain and weight loss.
• Colon cancer is often preventable and when detected early, highly curable.
• Colon polyps and early cancers often cause no symptoms.
• Early screening saves lives!

“Make That Call is a campaign that lasts through March, but our efforts last year-round,” explains Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman, director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health. “We are constantly working to increase awareness about colon cancer screening. The support from our campaign collaborators and participating organizations is tremendous.”

“Colon cancer is a highly preventable disease, and while our physicians are dedicated to screening patients through colonoscopy and other effective techniques, much depends on individuals reaching out to their doctors to make that appointment,” notes Dr. Frank Gress, clinical chief and director of endoscopy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

Patients can choose to see a physician with NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center or NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. As part of the program, callers with questions about colon cancer screening who want more information about the Make That Call campaign can call 877-902-2232 or visit MakeThatCall.org. Follow @nyphospital and @katiecouric for more information.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive hospitals and a leading provider of inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine. With some 2,600 beds and more than 6,500 affiliated physicians and 20,000 employees, NewYork-Presbyterian had more than 2 million visits in 2013, including close to 15,000 infant deliveries and more than 310,000 emergency department visits. NewYork-Presbyterian comprises six campuses: NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian/Westchester Division and NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital. The hospital is also closely affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area, according to U.S. News & World Report, and consistently named to the magazine’s Honor Roll of best hospitals in the nation. Affiliated with two world-renowned medical schools, Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NewYork-Presbyterian is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. For more information, visit www.nyp.org.The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center

The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center

The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a world-class gastrointestinal cancer and wellness center. The Monahan Center serves as a unique model of coordinated and compassionate care, dedicated to public education and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, including cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, esophagus, gallbladder, stomach and small intestine. The Monahan Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell is located at the corner of 70th Street and York Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.monahancenter.org.