HCA West Florida Division has partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness about the importance of colon cancer screening, sponsoring the Get Tested: Defeat Colon Cancer campaign.

According to the ACS, men and women ages 50 or older are at risk for colon cancer, regardless of their family history. The ACS and HCA urge people over 50 to talk to their doctors about the test that's right for them.

Here are some statistics about colon cancer, provided by ACS and HCA:

• 90 percent – The five-year survival rate when colon cancer is found at an early, more treatable stage;
• 58 percent – The percentage of Florida residents who get tested when they should;
• 39 percent – The percentage of colon cancers which are discovered at the earliest, most treatable stage;
• 11,000 – The number of people who will be diagnosed with colon cancer in Florida this year;
• 3,500 – The number of people who will die from the disease in Florida this year.

HCA West Florida hospitals in the Tampa Bay area include:

• Community Hospital, New Port Richey
• Northside Hospital, St. Petersburg
• Edward White Hospital, St. Petersburg
• St. Petersburg General Hospital, St. Petersburg
• Largo Medical Center, Largo
• South Bay Hospital, Sun City Center
• Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon
• Blake Medical Center, Bradenton
• Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Sarasota
• Englewood Community Hospital, Englewood

For information about cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.