Press Releases

March 6, 2012

Statement from Andrew Spiegel, Chief Executive Office, Colon Cancer Alliance Regarding the Death of New Jersey Representative Donald Payne

"We at the Colon Cancer Alliance send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of New Jersey Representative Donald Payne who died today of complications from colon cancer.

We had the pleasure of working with the Congressman who was co-sponsoring HR 4120, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Screening Act.  HR 4120 would treat diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopies equally by removing the cost sharing component for therapeutic colonoscopies under the Medicare system.

The Colon Cancer Alliance continues to stress the importance of being screened when you turn 50 years of age, or younger if you have risk factors such personal family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.  While this disease affects men and women equally as well as all races, African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates for this disease.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.  A simple screening can reduce incidences of colon cancer by up to 90 percent.  This is one of the most preventable diseases and is highly curable if caught early."

Andrew Spiegel
Chief Executive Officer
Colon Cancer Alliance

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The Colon Cancer Alliance is the nation’s leading colon cancer patient advocacy organization dedicated to the prevention and survivorship of this disease. It provides a variety of support, education and awareness programs throughout the year for patients, survivors, caregivers and the general public.

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