If this sounds familiar, actress Zoe Saldana has an important piece of advice for you: Stop putting it off, because the result could be devastating. While doctors are taking every possible precaution during cancer screenings, Saldana wants people to know that there are cancer screening options beyond typical in-hospital tests. In the case of colon cancer—one of the top cancers to see a decline in screenings in 2020—you can actually do a screening at home. “There is no question in my mind that putting off appointments, whether because of the pandemic or otherwise, can lead to devastating effects for those that are left undiagnosed,” Saldana, whose family has been personally affected by colon cancer, says. “But I think as humans, we all have an underlying fear of what we might find out and sometimes environments like hospitals amplify this.” She notes that at-home screening options like LetsGetChecked, which offers up a range of different health tests, can be a great option. “LetsGetChecked’s Colon Cancer test is incredibly important for those that are nervous about going to doctor offices or hospitals during the pandemic,” Saldana explains. “The testing process is easy and efficient, providing resources and support for those to receive their results within two to five days.” Of course, you should still see your medical provider, especially if you get a positive or unclear result. But especially right now, at-home cancer screenings can be a great option. In honor of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Saldana talked with Parade.com to find out more about how we can encourage family members to get regular screenings, her relationship with Chadwick Boseman, and more.
How to encourage a family member to get a cancer screening
It’s one thing to check the box of our own yearly cancer screenings, but it can be quite another to try to convince a loved one to get checked regularly. “In my mind, the only way to move forward and save lives is to de-stigmatize conversations surrounding ourselves. Conversations around personal health can be intimidating and ones we prefer to avoid, but it’s also incredibly empowering to take measures into your own hands,” she says. “Being open, honest and direct with family members and loved ones is the only way to stop deadly and largely undetectable diseases like colon cancer in their tracks.My advice is that having the conversations, however difficult they may be, sooner rather than later.” Still not feeling up for that conversation? “Believe me, it’s far more difficult to lose a family member to a devastating disease like colon cancer than sit down with them and have a conversation, and I encourage everyone to take the time to educate their friends and family members,” she adds. “And this doesn’t just mean sitting down and chatting with your parents and grandparents. It’s equally important to discuss these challenging topics with your peers and even your children.”
Her favorite memories of Chadwick Boseman
Last year, the world was shocked when Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away at age 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Saldana personally worked with Boseman, and part of the reason she got involved in raising colon cancer awareness and LetsGetChecked was because of him. “Chadwick was a gentle spirit through and through, and his passing was a shock to us all,” she says. “He has had an immense impact on the world and will continue to both as an actor and person. He inspires me to be a better person, and in everything that I do, whether it be my involvement in this cause or otherwise.” She adds that her main memories of him will always be of his character. “He possessed a kind of serenity and stillness that made you feel safe around him,” she says. “A true gentleman, soft-spoken.”
Colon cancer and the BIPOC community
One thing Saldana wishes people understood about colon cancer is that it disproportionately affects those in the BIPOC community who may lack the resources to access safe and effective screening options. “The U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health reports that Black people have an 11% higher incidence of Colon Cancer than White people,” she notes. That’s why Saldana is so committed to encouraging people to get regular colon cancer screenings. “It’s of the utmost importance to me to support easier access to testing and early detection, even while at home, with the hopes of raising for at-home solutions to potentially save lives,” she says. Next up, read these 150 quotes from cancer super survivors.
