Reese Pharmaceutical Launches Second Phase of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign

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Reese Pharmaceutical announced the launch of the second phase of its Know Your CRC History campaign.¹ The educational campaign is focused on raising awareness around colorectal cancer (CRC) and normalizing conversations around family health history. The new phase is focused on promoting these conversations during holiday gatherings.

In a press release, Reese Pharmaceutical president Jeffrey Reese explained, “The holidays provide a unique opportunity to discuss family health history. This knowledge empowers individuals to get screened earlier and more frequently, helping to minimize their risk. With the increased accessibility of ColoTest, taking the first step toward early detection has never been easier—and it could ultimately save lives.”

Reese Pharmaceutical produces an at-home fecal immunochemical test which can detect hidden blood in stool samples. This can be an early sign of CRC. Early screening is important in fighting CRC and can significantly improve the odds of beating the disease.

In August of this year, Reese Pharmaceutical announced the results of a survey focused on colon cancer risk.² According to the results, around 80% of Americans are unaware of their direct family history with colon cancer and whether or not they have a direct family member who suffered from the disease.

In a press release issued at the time, Reese said, “The data proves there is a significant gap in awareness that could be contributing to an increase in colorectal cancer rates. Knowing your family history is crucial because the information can be used to determine how early and often you need to get screened, which can aid in prevention and treatment.”

Yvette Davis-Atkins, an ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer, shared her personal story with the disease, saying, “My husband passed away from colon cancer at age 45. My son was only 12 years old then, but he started getting screenings right away. He's being monitored so we can catch any issues early when they are more treatable. The approach could ultimately save his life.”

Chief medical officer at ixlayer Bernard Esquivel, MD, PhD, said, “The early detection and monitoring of colorectal cancer is beneficial in reducing mortality rates by detecting cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. As a physician with extensive experience in patient care, I can attest that fecal-based tests are a well-documented and widely accepted practice."

Last May, Reese Pharmaceutical announced that its at-home test, ColoTest, would be available at Walmart locations.³ In a press release issued at the time, Reese said, “With colon cancer rates on the rise, addressing barriers to screening is critical. ColoTest is an important option that offers a convenient, affordable, non-invasive test that can identify invisible blood in stool, a key warning sign for colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal abnormalities. We're proud to now offer this important tool to Walmart customers, significantly expanding its availability and the opportunity to get more Americans screened for this often deadly cancer."

Sources

1. Reese Pharmaceutical Begins Second Phase of Campaign to Promote CRC Screening. Reese Pharmaceutical. October 21, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reese-pharmaceutical-begins-second-phase-of-campaign-to-promote-crc-screening-302280087.html
2. Nationwide Survey Shows Alarming Gap in Awareness of Colon Cancer Risk. Reese Pharmaceutical. August 20, 2024. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nationwide-survey-shows-alarming-gap-in-awareness-of-colon-cancer-risk-302224815.html
3. ColoTest for Colon Cancer Screening Now Available at Select Walmart Locations. Reese Pharmaceutical. May 21, 2024. Accessed October 21, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colotest-for-colon-cancer-screening-now-available-at-select-walmart-locations-302150327.html