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If you’re 45 or older, it’s time to step up to the plate and get screened for colon cancer.
That’s the message in Abbott’s new baseball-themed bilingual ad campaign for the Cologuard Plus® test, an at-home screening tool to detect colorectal cancer.
The campaign, “Mind Your Behind,” features baseball legend Albert Pujols, who was born in the Dominican Republic, and current baseball star Cal Raleigh.
“Colorectal cancer screening is serious, but we talk about it doesn’t always have to be,” said Jake Orville, Abbott’s Senior Vice President, Cancer Diagnostics. “We want to make screening easier to talk about and, more importantly, easier to act on.”
About the Baseball Campaign for Colon Cancer Screening
The campaign plays it “cheeky” with the idea of baseball fans having a fascination with players’ backsides in order to raise awareness of colorectal cancer screening.
With nearly 60 million Americans remain unscreened for colorectal cancer, the message is an important reminder of the need for early detection and prevention.
“I know colorectal cancer is not something everyone wants to talk about, but that’s why I wanted to be part of this campaign. If a little humor gets people my age thinking about screening and letting them know about a test that they can fit into their everyday lives and use at home, that’s a good thing,” said Pujols, who hit 703 homeruns in the major leagues.
The campaign encourages adults to screen for colon cancer with Cologuard Plus® as a preferred stool-based screening option every three years.
The test can be used at home in about 15 minutes and sent to a lab for results, with no special preparation or dietary changes.
“This campaign is a fun way for me to move their attention from that to something much more important,” said Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners.
Watch the Spanish-language ad.
Colon Cancer in Latinos
Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among Latino men and the third-leading cause among Latinas.
In Bexar County, Texas, more than half (57%) of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at a late stage, higher than many other Texas counties.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include blood in the stool, constipation, and abdominal pain — common symptoms found in other ailments that are more likely to affect younger people than cancer.
“Taking care of my health has always been important to me, and now that I’m in my mid-40s, colorectal cancer screening is part of that effort,” Pujols said.
To request a kit and learn more, Cologuard.com, or access Spanish-language information at Cologuard.com/prueba.
The Importance of Clinical Trial Participation
Diseases like cancer can hurt many of our abuelos, moms, dads, and others we love.
Clinical trials help us fight for our familia.
Clinical trials are studies that help researchers learn more to help slow, manage, and treat cancer, dementia, and other health conditions for current and future family members. But without volunteers for clinical trials, the benefits may miss this group.
Visit our clinical trials page to find a clinical trial, read about hero volunteers, and more!
“Volunteers in clinical trials are not only helping themselves, but they’re also building a future with potentially better treatments that can help their families in the future,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.
Those looking for opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.
On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
