CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN AND
MAIMONIDES CEO PAMELA BRIER FOCUS ON
COLON CANCER AWARENESS IN MARCH
NYC Council Initiative – “Women First: Health Starts with You” –
Is Promoting Colon Cancer Awareness in March, and
the Ongoing Maimonides Screening Program Available to
Brooklyn Residents, Regardless of Ability to Pay
(BROOKLYN, NY – March 3, 2008) New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Maimonides Medical Center President & CEO Pamela S. Brier today announced their collaboration in raising awareness of the prevalence of colon cancer, and encouraged participation in the ongoing Maimonides Screening Program for Brooklyn residents, regardless of their ability to pay, at a joint press conference at the Maimonides Cancer Center.
“I’m honored to join Pam Brier and Maimonides Medical Center in expanding this important exam to more New Yorkers,” said Speaker Quinn. “Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, and studies show that uninsured people are less likely to get tested. I applaud the hospital’s commitment to helping New Yorkers obtain access to this lifesaving exam.”
“I want to thank Christine Quinn for her leadership on women’s health and for focusing on colon cancer awareness,” said Ms. Brier. “Our goal at Maimonides is to help people understand the importance of this screening, and make it easier for them by removing any financial barriers to the test.”
Colon cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early via a colonoscopy or other testing method. One of the most common barriers to getting screened is lack of coverage for the cost of the test. At Maimonides, patients without health insurance receive assistance in determining how to get coverage for testing. If no coverage is available, Maimonides covers the cost – including any follow-up treatment that may be needed.
Though men are at slightly greater risk of developing the disease, research shows that it is women who make the majority of healthcare decisions within families. Speaker Quinn and Ms. Brier encourage women to take care of themselves and their loved ones by availing themselves of this potentially life-saving screening.
Brooklyn Members of the New York City Council joined them at the press conference in launching this public awareness initiative.
