Main Streets Go Blue

Raising awareness of colorectal cancer in Queens, NY

Although initial conversations regarding the implementation of Main Streets Go Blue in Queens got off to a late start, this did not impact the success of the events. The Queens and Asian Initiatives Regions of the American Cancer Society took the lead with this initiative and collaborated with New York Hospital of Queens and the Eastern & Western Partnerships of the NYS DOH Cancer Services Program to increase awareness of the importance of colorectal screening in Queens with a press conference and a free screening event. To kickoff Main Streets Go Blue, a press conference was held on Thursday, March 22 at the Flushing Library in Flushing, NY. Ming-der Chang, Regional Vice President, American Cancer Society, Asian Initiatives facilitated the press conference, which included the following speakers: Crystal Feng, Public Affairs Associate, NYC Comptroller John Liu's Office; Moshe Rubin, M.D., Director, Gastroenterology, New York Hospital Queens; Shirvahna Gobin, MPA, Director, Cancer Services Program of Western Queens, American Cancer Society; Jacqueline Xouris, MS, RN, Director, Cancer Services Program of Eastern Queens; Linda Sun, Chief of Staff, NYS Assembly member Grace Meng's Office and a representative from Peter Koo’s office. The speakers discussed colon cancer, specifically that it is a highly treatable and often times preventable disease if polyps are caught in the early stages, and removed; the importance of timely colorectal cancer screenings, the free screening resources available in Queens (i.e. CSP Program) and announced the free screening event scheduled for March 29. We were very pleased with the media coverage that the American Cancer Society, Asian Initiatives was able to secure for the press event, which included newspapers articles, television clips as well as radio announcements. The following media outlets covered the event: NY1 Queens, Sinovision, World Journal, Sing Tao Daily, China News, Ming Pao, Epoch Times, Sino TV, Sino American Radio Station, Chinese Network Radio Station, Korean Times, Korean Daily, New York Korean Daily. The week following the press conference, the Partnerships hosted a free screening event at the Flushing Library, where uninsured men and women over the age of 50 could receive a FIT kit. Women over the age of 40 were also encouraged to sign up for breast and cervical screening if they were due for a screening. Additionally, Gastroenterologist, Dr. Moshe Rubin, presented life-saving information about colorectal cancer while information about colon cancer and the other services offered by the Cancer Services Program were distributed to attendees. We are pleased to announce that the Western Partnership distributed 52 FIT kits, all of which were returned and none of which were cancerous. The Eastern Partnership distributed 38 FIT kits and found 8 additional clients at increased or high risk who were referred for colonoscopies at NYHQ. (6 insured clients, 2 uninsured) By partnering with the American Cancer Society, the Eastern and Western NYSDOH CSP Partnerships were able to expand our reach into the Asian community and screen almost 100 individuals who may have forgone a life-saving cancer screening due to cost and access barriers. This was a tremendously successful event for the combined Cancer Services Programs of Queens, but more importantly, for the men and women we served!