The Beauty Industry is Cutting Out Colon Cancer

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- National non-profit Fight Colorectal Cancer is teaming up with the Profile Barber Institute to raise awareness of colorectal cancer at the Bronner Bros. International Hair Show in Atlanta, GA from Aug 17-19. The exhibit will incorporate colorectal cancer awareness activities into the hair institute’s promotions.

Rodrick Samuels, owner of Profile Barber Institute, sees the partnership as an opportunity to merge two of his passions:  the professional beauty industry and cancer awareness.

“My mother passed away from lung cancer and I have since become an advocate in her memory,” said Samuels. “I use my platform in the community to promote health and to spread the message that colorectal cancer is preventable.”

Fight Colorectal Cancer partnered with Profile Barber Institute to exhibit at the Bronner Bros. show because it is the largest beauty industry convention in the country. The two groups will be recruiting barbers and stylists to spread the message of colorectal cancer screening and prevention. African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the United States. The U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group estimates that approximately 18,000 African American men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013—and in just that same year, 6,850 of them will die from it.

“The African American community experiences higher incidence and death rates,” said Anjee Davis, Vice President of Programs at Fight Colorectal Cancer. “We hope to encourage and empower people to be screened. The key to prevention is catching it early before it even becomes a cancer.”

The hair show will consist of several days of exhibitors, educational classes, competitions and nightly entertainment. Fight Colorectal Cancer’s booth will feature blue hair extensions (blue is the color of colorectal cancer), models from The Colondar (a calendar featuring young colon and rectal cancer survivors produced by The Colon Club) and educational materials about screening.

To support the cause or for more information about colorectal cancer visit http://www.FightColorectalCancer.org.

About Fight Colorectal Cancer

Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading colorectal cancer non-profit in Washington, DC. Through patient education, advocacy and research funding, the group spreads awareness and demands a cure for the second-leading killer in the United States. As the leading advocacy group, the organization serves as a resource for colorectal cancer patients, grassroots advocates, policy makers, medical professionals and health care providers. Learn more at FightColorectalCancer.org.