Colorectal cancer (most commonly known as colon cancer) is the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States. More than 106,000 Americans, male and female, will be diagnosed with new cases this year, according to data from the American Cancer Society (ACS).
This means screenings for colorectal cancer are not only important but can save a life.
Grammy-award-winning rapper/producer Lil Jon, who is famous for getting the nation’s attention with his music, has teamed up with Exact Sciences, a Wisconsin-based molecular diagnostics company, to give a new spin on his iconic hit “Get Low” as the soundtrack to the first step in non-invasive colon cancer screening. The new movement is being called “Get Low #2”.
Photo by Julia Beverly/The Atlanta Voice
Getting low, in this case, means less about dancing “from the window to the wall” and more about educating the public about non-invasive colon cancer screenings. Lil John, 52, said that his health has become even more important to him as he gets older, and he wants to spread the importance of getting screened for colon cancer.
“Health, mental health, and physical health are all of optimal importance to me these days,” Lil Jon said. “Black people, people of color, we don’t go to the doctor until something is wrong.”
Lil Jon mentioned the recent death of DJ Clark Kent, who passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with colon cancer. “I want to spread the word that people need to make sure they go to the doctor, get your check-up, especially for colon cancer because it is killing a high number of African Americans.”
Colorectal cancer diagnoses in the United States are the highest among Black men, according to ACS data. There is a nearly 13% higher rate of colorectal cancer cases for Black men per 100,000 men than any other race of males in this country, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Lil Jon said he also wanted to be in alignment with what is being called the “Get Low #2” movement because discussions and information sessions about colon cancer screening shouldn’t be taboo.
“When Exact Sciences came to me with this campaign, I was totally down because I wanted to encourage people to get screened,” he said. “It’s easy. You can do it at home and send your test.”
One company offering at-home colorectal screenings is Cologuard. On Sunday, it had a table outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the Atlanta Falcons game. Representatives from both Cologuard and Exact Sciences distributed information pamphlets about their services.
Most people will not have a family history of colorectal cancer, yet they should still get screened if they are over the age of 45.
“We have a fear of going to the doctor, so this is something you can do at home and it could potentially help you find out what’s going on with your body,” Lil Jon said. “A lot of these times some of these deaths could be prevented.”
When caught in early stages, colorectal cancer is more treatable in about 90%, according to several cancer research organizations, including the ACS. “It is important to let people know these tools are available to us, it’s not expensive, and it could save your life,” Lil Jon said.