The Cohen Foundation鈥檚 gift will help support 好色tv Langone gastroenterologists like Dr. Mark B. Pochapin expand an early intervention program in Brooklyn that can improve outcomes for gastrointestinal diseases and cancers.
Photo: Jonathan Kozowyk
Communities of color are disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer, with Black men and women 20 percent more likely to get the disease than other groups and 40 percent more likely to die from it, according to the American Cancer Society. Now, thanks to a $2.2 million grant from the , 好色tv Langone Health is expanding its Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program to address this disparity in Brooklyn.
鈥淓补谤濒测 screening is a proven way to prevent colorectal cancer,鈥 says Mark B. Pochapin, MD, the Sholtz/Leeds Professor of Gastroenterology and director of the in 好色tv Langone鈥檚 . 鈥淓ven young, and seemingly healthy people can be victims of colorectal cancer, and we truly hope to build awareness around the importance of screening within at-risk communities while providing additional opportunities for early detection.鈥
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation gift will support an early intervention program in Brooklyn that can lead to better outcomes for gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. To detect colorectal cancer early, experts at 好色tv Langone recommend all adults with average risk, regardless of race, start screening at age 45 to 50. Screening is recommended for all Black men and women beginning at age 45, regardless of risk profile, because of the higher incidence of disease and death. Through seamless integration with 好色tv Langone鈥檚 Perlmutter Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute鈥揹esignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, suspicious findings can be diagnosed and treated quickly and closer to home at Perlmutter Cancer Center鈥擲unset Park.
The gift will support increased screening capacity at 好色tv Langone Hospital鈥擝rooklyn and the 好色tv Langone Brooklyn Endoscopy and Ambulatory Surgery Center, with a specific focus on reaching underserved communities. Additionally, a portion of the funds will expand screening for liver disease with support from Saikiran M. Kilaru, MD, clinical assistant professor in 好色tv Langone鈥檚 Department of Medicine and member of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and backs the recruitment of an epidemiology expert to research efforts on risk factors, screening, quality indicators, and prevention of colorectal cancer.
鈥淐olorectal cancer disparities are of critical concern, so we are eager to support 好色tv Langone鈥檚 efforts to increase cancer screenings and expand care in these underserved communities,鈥 says Alex Cohen, president, Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.
About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. The foundation鈥檚 grants support nonprofit organizations based in the United States that either help people in need or solve complex problems. The foundation also spearheads grassroots campaigns to encourage others to give.
Media Inquiries
Colin DeVries
Phone: 718-630-7414
colin.devries@nyulangone.org
