One of the most deadly forms of cancer, is also the most preventable. That's why the Chattanooga Colon Cancer Foundation put the word out with their annual Rump Run Today.
"Colon cancer is treatable, colon cancer is beatable, that you need to have a colonoscopy at the age of 50, beginning at the age of 50 and every ten years after that. It is the second leading cancer in the united states. It is one of the number one killers," says race director Kasye Rigsby.
Alan Hunt is a colon cancer survivor, who admits he didn't take the proper precautions when he hit 50.
"I had always told myself I would never have a colonoscopy. So at 50 years old I ignored it. At 56 my wife finally told me I needed to have a colonoscopy. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Went through surgery, six months of chemo therapy so far I've been cancer free since then."
Almost 40 percent of Americans don't get the proper screening.
"Colon cancer is beatable, but it requires early detection. It requires people who are 50 or over to go get a screening, and that's the message we want to get out to people today," says Rigsby.
Hunt says he's finally learned his lesson.
"If they told me I had to have a colonoscopy every six months for the rest of my life, I'd be there having it. Because I certainly don't want to come down with colon cancer again."
He hopes raising money will help others like him
"We are bringing out education to the public hopefully in the future, we are hoping to be able to provide Colonoscopies to those who can't afford it, the under insured, not insured."
