Navarro promotes colon cancer screenings for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

MIAMI — Navarro Discount Pharmacy is promoting colon cancer screenings in the month of March under a partnership with a group focused on the disease, Navarro said Friday.

The regional retail pharmacy has partnered with StopColonCancerNow.com to promote the screenings, which screening guidelines advise adults older than 50 years to receive, or 45 years if they are African-American. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90% when detected and treated in the earliest stage.

"Colon cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States, yet more than 80% of cases could be prevented with timely screenings," StopColonCancerNow.com medical director Simon Behar said. "Through its commitment to wellness and broad reach in south Florida, Navarro is helping us to spread an important message — a colonoscopy can save your life."

The 33-store chain will provide educational materials in pharmacies through the month, which is designated as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and include information on colon cancer screening in its advertisements and online.

"Keeping our customers healthy is part of what we do, and there is no test more important for those who meet the screening guidelines than a colonoscopy," Navarro EVP and Navarro Health Services president Albert Garcia said. "This partnership is one more way that we are taking care of our customers and helping to make sure they live a healthy life."