Highlighting our Mission in March
Exact Sciences’ first mission is to help eradicate colon cancer. That mission is on the minds of our team members every single day, and March gives us an opportunity to be even louder about the work we do. Right now, our team members are preparing to take part in some big events to help spread awareness about the nation’s second deadliest cancer and the need for screening.
Nearly two decades ago, President Bill Clinton dedicated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a rallying point for Exact Sciences and our allies to spread awareness about colon cancer screening and prevention and honor those lost to this horrible disease.
So this week, to kickoff March we’re joining the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, Fight Colorectal Cancer, American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic to start the countdown to 2018 in Times Square. Why is 2018 important? Exact Sciences is part of the national effort to get 80% of the population screened for colon cancer by 2018. On March 1st, experts and celebrities such as Luke Perry will be sharing screening stories and updates on the 80% by 2018 movement. You can watch the event online. Register for the March 1st webcast at http://www.crccountdown.org/ and learn how you can get involved.
Exact Sciences also partners with the Colon Cancer Alliance for their activities throughout March. Each year, the first Friday of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is designated as Dress in Blue Day. Wearing blue is just one way to honor those who have fought colon cancer and celebrate their strength. Mark your calendar for March 3rd and plan your blue outfit. I know I’ll be wearing blue. The Colon Cancer Alliance has resources you can use to plan Dress in Blue Day activities. Check out their site at https://www.ccalliance.org/awareness-month/.
The entire Exact Sciences team remains committed to battle this disease in March and throughout the entire year. We can have a major impact in the fight against colon cancer with Cologuard. This innovative test lets a patient provide their sample in the privacy of their own home and is supported by a 24/7 patient compliance service. Cologuard and the service behind the test help people get screened for colon cancer.
Cologuard’s impact on screening rates in the US
Join us in spreading awareness this March. Most importantly, if you are 50 years or older, get screened for colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about it, and ask if Cologuard is right for you. You can download a colon cancer screening and Cologuard discussion guide at http://www.cologuardtest.com/get-a-prescription/talk-to-your-doctor. Help us get to the goal of 80% screened by 2018. Make a difference this March.
I can’t wait to see everyone decked out in blue.
About Cologuard
Cologuard was approved by the FDA in August 2014 and results from Exact Sciences' prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. Cologuard is included in the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016) and the American Cancer Society's (2014) colorectal cancer screening guidelines. Stool DNA is included in the combined screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society / U.S. Multi-Society Task Force/American College of Radiology (2008), the American College of Gastroenterology guidelines (2009) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 years or older, who are at average risk for colorectal cancer. Cologuard is not for everyone and is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals. False positives and false negatives do occur. Any positive test result should be followed by a diagnostic colonoscopy. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient. Cologuard performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established. For more information about Cologuard, visit www.CologuardTest.com . Rx Only.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
Exact Sciences Corp. is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the early detection and prevention of the deadliest forms of cancer. The company has exclusive intellectual property protecting its non-invasive, molecular screening technology for the detection of colorectal cancer. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.exactsciences.com , follow Exact Sciences on Twitter @ExactSciences or find Exact Sciences on Facebook.
