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MONTREAL, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ - The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC) is pleased to announce the opening of its Second Annual Public Service Announcement Contest on September 1st, 2010.

PURPOSE OF THE CONTEST: The contest is intended to increase public awareness of the benefits of the primary prevention of colorectal cancer as well as the benefits of being screened through measures including Fecal Occult Blood testing (FOBT), Fecal Immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy.

The CCAC encourages both men and women over the age of 50 to be screened for colorectal cancer, as it is 90% preventable and curable if detected in its early stages. The CCAC maintains that healthy lifestyles including diet and exercise, timely screening and effective treatments will result in a dramatic decrease in the disease's mortality rate over the next ten years.

"Last year the CCAC received over 80 wonderful submissions and we hope to exceed 100 video, audio and print entries this year. We are looking for new and novel ways to encourage the public to recognise the benefits of primary prevention and screening, and this contest has helped to encourage creative minds from around the world to bring public attention to the cause," said Barry D. Stein, president of the CCAC.

CONTEST THEME: The theme for the 2011 contest is: "Colorectal cancer is Preventable, Treatable and Beatable!"

CONTEST GUIDLINES: Video, audio or print entries may be targeted to asymptomatic men and women of any age, as long as they encourage them to reduce their risk factors by understanding the vast importance of primary prevention through healthy lifestyles or screening. Creativity and humour are thoroughly encouraged. Since it is vital that each submission has an accurate message, the CCAC encourages entrants to use the CCAC's online resources to educate themselves about colorectal cancer. Entries will be judged on their technical merits, their creativity and the message produced.

The top five highest-voted projects in each category will then be judged by a panel of creative professionals. The final winning selections in each of the three categories will receive prizes of $1,500 CAD each.

PSA submissions in all categories will be accepted from September 1st, 2010 until 23:59 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Thursday, March 10th, 2011. All submissions should be made to the dedicated PSA contest website, www.ccacpsa.com, where projects will be available for public voting during the entire contest period. Winners will be announced on March 14th during Canada's National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Final contest rules, regulations and submission guidelines may be viewed online at www.ccacpsa.com.

ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada. Though highly preventable and curable when detected early, an estimated 22,500 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and approximately 9,100 are expected to succumb to it. An almost equal number of men and women are affected by colorectal cancer.

ABOUT THE CCAC

The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada is the country's leading non-profit organization dedicated to improving patient outcomes by increasing awareness and education of colorectal cancer, supporting patients and advocating for primary prevention, provincial screening programs as well as timely and equal access to effective treatments.

Visit the CCAC website, www.colorectal-cancer.ca, for up-to-date information on colorectal cancer, send an email to info@colorectal-cancer.ca or call the toll-free number 1.877.50.COLON (26566) to obtain additional information on colorectal cancer.

SOURCE COLORECTAL CANCER ASSOCIATION OF CANADA