March 18, 2026 -- Lackawanna County commissioners today proclaimed March as Colorectal Cancer Month in Lackawanna County and urge residents to be screened for early detection of colon cancer and participate in Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s colon cancer awareness efforts.

Colon and rectal cancers are one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Northeast Pennsylvania, with incidence and mortality rates in some areas as much as 17% higher than the U.S. average. About 75% of new cases of colon and rectal cancer occur in patients of average risk and approximately 500 new cases are diagnosed each year. Nearly 200 patients die from colon cancer each year in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties combined.

NRCI has been easing the burden of cancer for 35 years through community and patient services, hospital and practice support services and cancer surveillance programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of our region. On Thursday, March 26, NRCI will sponsor the 23rd annual CASUAL (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day. CASUAL Day was established by the family of Helen Phillips, who fought a courageous battle against colon cancer and died in the summer of 2002.

Pictured are, from left, Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Thom Welby; Amanda Marchegiani, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Community Relations Coordinator; and Commissioner Chris Chermak.