Radio media tour focuses on colon cancer signs and screening

Dr. Dustin Deming

Oncologists want to spread a clear and simple message about colon cancer: screening saves lives.

On March 20, 2018, Dustin Deming, MD, assistant professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, participated in a radio media tour talking about the signs of colon cancer and urging people to get screened. Dr. Deming was interviewed on 20 major market radio stations, from Seattle to Ocala, Florida and from Minneapolis to Washington DC.

The event marked March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month and was organized by Genentech Oncology. Radio shows and stations included Let's Just Talk, a syndicated show reachign 661,500 listeners; KKNW-AM in Seattle, Washington with 102,200 listeners; and The Good News with Angie Austin, reaching 344,089 listeners.

"Largely what we're trying to do is have colonoscopies done before any symptoms arise. If we wait until symptoms come, then unfortunately the cancer presents at all-too late stages, making it much harder to treat. If we...detect abnormal growths when they're just benign polyps, that actually prevents cancers from ever coming," said Dr. Deming.

Resources (MP3 files - click to listen):

Photo caption: Dr. Dustin Deming in his research laboratory, which focuses on understanding new pathways or mechanisms by which colon cancers are formed. Photo credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine