Health scares prompt promotion of new colon cancer screening test
HAMILTON, ON — Hamilton resident Gerry O’Shaughnessy hopes to keep his health scares in the past.
“I’ve been through the mill with my health, that’s for sure,” says Gerry, 65. “But I know, moving forward, that there are certain changes I need to make. One is to quit smoking, which is really challenging after a lifetime of cigarettes. The other, which is easier, is to make time for colon cancer screening.”
Close family history of colon cancer motivates Hamilton plumber to promote new province-wide screening test for prevention/early detection
BURLINGTON, ON — Burlington resident Paul Spelman believes that early detection through colorectal cancer screening could have saved his father’s life.
That’s why the Birnie and Sons plumber is throwing his support behind a campaign promoting a new province-wide screening test for colorectal cancer – often called colon or bowel cancer. Screening can help prevent colon cancer or find it early when it’s easier to treat.
Cancer survivor encourages residents to `Check their Plumbing’ with new FIT colon cancer screening test
HAMILTON, ON — Hamilton Mountain resident Roy Birnie is encouraging men and women across the region to `check their plumbing’ with the new at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that screens for signs of colorectal cancer, commonly called colon or bowel cancer.
FIT is now available free across the province through Cancer Care Ontario’s organized colon cancer screening program, ColonCancerCheck.
Keep your Colon Rollin’ with new colon cancer screening test
CAYUGA, ON — `Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.’
“That old saying still holds true,” says Cayuga resident Rob Birnie, owner of the Hamilton-based plumbing company Birnie and Sons. “I would encourage people to keep their colon rollin’ by taking the province’s new colon cancer screening test.”
Rob along with four of his colleagues are partnering with the Regional Cancer Program to promote a new at-home test that screens for signs of colorectal cancer, commonly called colon or bowel cancer. Joining him are company directors Bob and Roy Birnie, plumber Paul Spelman and operations manager Gerry O’Shaughnessy.
Birnie and Sons Plumbing promotes new FIT colon cancer screening test
STONEY CREEK, ON — What do plumbing and colorectal cancer prevention have in common? A lot, says Bob Birnie, a Stoney Creek resident and director of Hamilton-based plumbing company Birnie and Sons. Bob and four of his colleagues are partnering with the Regional Cancer Program to promote a new test to Ontario that screens for signs of colorectal cancer, commonly called colon or bowel cancer.
Motorcycle enthusiasts promote cancer screening in memory of their loved one
HAGERSVILLE, ON — Hagersville resident Jackie McGowan married Dave Ruttan just 10 days before he died of colon cancer. “We knew Dave was dying and wanted to say our vows as a final, everlasting expression of our love,” said Jackie, whose husband passed away four years ago.
Dave was at high risk of developing colon cancer because he had Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that can be passed down from parent to child. A person with Lynch syndrome is at increased risk for colon and stomach cancer. For women, there’s also an increased risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Birthday greetings include an invitation to start colon cancer screening
ST. CATHARINES, ON — For many of us, birthdays mean scrumptious cake, glowing candles, gifts and greeting cards. If you’ve just turned 50, those birthday greeting will also include a letter in the mail from the province’s ColonCancerCheck program inviting you to start colon cancer screening as part of your routine medical care.
“I started screening when I turned 50, after getting my letter in the mail,” said Chris Lowes, owner of the Mahtay Cafe and Lounge in downtown St. Catharines.
Burford farmer helps spread the word that colon cancer screening sees what you can’t
BRANT COUNTY, ON — Burford farmer Larry Davis is well-known in Brant and beyond for his powerful singing voice.
A member of choirs including Brant Men of Song and the Ontario Male Chorus, Larry is now lending his voice to something new by partnering with the Brant County Health Unit and Regional Cancer Program to promote colon cancer screening for Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March.
Staying active as part of a healthy lifestyle
GRIMSBY, ON — Whether it’s tending to his vegetable garden or teaching young members of his Cadet Corps how to tie knots and build campfires, Gerry Bijsma believes in staying active as part of a healthy lifestyle.
The 73-year-old Grimsby man also believes in cancer screening as a way to stay healthy. That’s why he takes a simple at-home test every two years called the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) to screen for signs of colorectal cancer.
Niagara Police Officer encourages a healthy community through cancer screening
NIAGARA, ON — Gina Allan believes in helping others. That’s why the Niagara woman chose policing as a profession. It’s also the reason she’s encouraging fellow Niagara residents to stay up-to-date with colon cancer screening by taking a free test that saves lives by screening for early signs of the disease.
Hamilton ‘warrior’ beats colon cancer thanks to early detection
HAMILTON, ON — It’s no wonder Karen Grover’s favourite yoga move is the warrior pose. The Hamilton fitness enthusiast – whose weekly routine includes yoga classes, gym workouts and 5 km runs — has won significant health battles over the years, including defeating colon cancer.