Catching cancer early saves lives. The Seattle Seahawks and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the team’s official medical services partner, are working together to promote early detection through the NFL’s Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer initiative.
“Many people didn’t have access to the hospital or chose not to go to the hospital during the pandemic, so we’re about two years behind,” said Dr. Val Simianu, colorectal surgeon and medical director of colon and rectal disorders at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “We’ve seen patients come with advanced cancers into this hospital, so this is our chance to catch up.”
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor knows firsthand the importance of cancer screenings. His mom Peggy died from breast cancer when he was in high school.
“Going through the process of just watching her go through chemo and all of those things that come with cancer, it was really hard for me and my sister to watch her go through those things and not come out on the stronger side of it,” Taylor said.
Cancer affects many people, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about recommended screenings, including for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and skin cancer.
“We now know that for many cancers we can catch the disease before it becomes cancer or before it becomes an advanced cancer and patients get symptoms,” Dr. Simianu said.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a list of recommended cancer screenings on its website to act as a guide, in addition to talking with your health care provider.
Seahawks Dancer Caroline had squamous cell cancer in her ear when she was 9 years old and almost lost her hearing.
“I obviously am grateful I was able to catch it early enough where that wasn’t the case,” Caroline said.
Fans can purchase Seahawks Crucial Catch gear at Pro Shop stores. Twelve percent of proceeds will go to the Crucial Catch Fund, which helps cancer patients pay for incremental costs of cancer treatments.
Taylor gives his advice to fans about staying on top of screenings.
“It’s definitely good to see doc and get a mammogram. Make sure you’re healthy and on the safe side of things.”
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health will be hosting a free mammogram clinic for women 40 to 74 years old who are low income eligible, underinsured, or uninsured. The event will take place on Nov. 10 from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Franciscan Breast Center at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. To register, fans can call (253) 573-7320, select Option 3, and mention the Nov. 10 free screening event.
To learn more about the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative, visit the Seahawks website.
Sponsored by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.