| ABOUT CHESHIRE’S CRUSADE AGAINST CANCER |
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This program grew out of town administrators’ interest in creating a productive program to deal with cancer in our community. When we contacted the American Cancer Society for assistance and learned the importance of early detection, and that 60% of cancers are preventable, we realized we had an opportunity to positively impact the health of our community for years to come. With the Town Council’s support and endorsement, a Task Force of Cheshire citizens was formalized to initiate a town wide Crusade Against Cancer.
With a target audience that includes town employees, Cheshire Public School staff and students, as well as local businesses and residents of all ages, the mission of this Crusade is “to mobilize the resources of government, the business community and the American Cancer Society to make Cheshire a leading cancer fighting town in Connecticut through the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for preventing, detecting, and treating cancer in our community.”
A major challenge that the Crusade Against Cancer Task Force has set for itself is to affect a cultural change in cancer prevention and detection among our target audience. The Crusade hopes to encourage our citizens become more accepting of information, to incorporate cancer screenings as an integral part of their healthcare, to ease the stigma and difficulties of cancer treatments, and to willingly make lifestyle changes that can prevent some cancers and ultimately improve their health.
The emphasis of this Crusade is:
· To implement a Comprehensive School Health Education (CSHE) program which includes nutrition and fitness education and encouragement
· Tobacco abuse prevention, especially preventing youth from starting smoking
· Nutrition and fitness/healthy lifestyles education and encouragement for everyone
· Patient support services
· Advocacy and lobbying for “healthy” legislation
· Skin cancer prevention and early detection
This effort will be the first such initiative by a municipality in Connecticut, and we hope to serve as a model for other communities throughout the state.
The Crusade Against Cancer is a natural partner to this town’s incredibly successful Relay for Life. We hope to take all of that positive community momentum and commitment and translate it into an ongoing and very sustained effort that will have a dramatic impact on truly improving the health and quality of life for our citizens.
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QUICK FACTS |
DID YOU KNOW
· that 60% of cancers are preventable?
· that 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease?
· that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men?
· that over 14 cancers are linked to tobacco use, and that lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer?
· that colon cancer is the third leading cause of death, and is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer?
· that one-third of all cancers can be attributed to poor diet and lack of exercise?
· that, with early detection, 62% of cancer patients will be cured?
LEARN MORE * GET INVOLVED * SPEAKERS BUREAU
Call, write or email the Cheshire Crusade Against Cancer Task Force care of the Town Manager’s Office, 84 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410, (203) 271-6660, www.cheshirecrusade@cheshirect.org.
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Crusade Against Cancer Task Force |
The Task Force meets periodically to address issues such as the American Cancer Society's extensive, long-term CPS-3 study. |
LINKS |
American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
Cheshire School Health Council: www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/asi_shc
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RELAY FOR LIFE |
The Crusade Against Cancer Task Force encourages all Cheshire residents to continue to support this incredible community event, held each June.
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SCHOOL HEALTH COUNCIL |
The objective of the Cheshire Public Schools' Health Council is to educate our school children on nutrition, fitness and tobacco abuse to help prevent cancer. The Health Council, made up of representatives from administration, faculty, health professionals, students, food services, and the Crusade Against Cancer, continues to make great strides in promoting health for our children. The Crusade Against Cancer Task Force supports their efforts, purchasing anti-smoking video featuring Cheshire native Bob Herbst for use at Dodd Middle School and Cheshire High School as part of the schools' health cirriculum.
You can visit their website at www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/asi_shc.
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