BANGOR – Two local municipal officials, in an effort to raise awareness that colon cancer can be prevented, are expected today to declare Bangor and Brewer colon cancer awareness zones.

Gail Kelly, mayor of Brewer, and John Cashwell, mayor of Bangor, will read a proclamation designating the cities as colon cancer awareness zones at a morning press conference.

Becoming an awareness zone “challenges the city to realize the seriousness of the risks of colon cancer and encourages people to talk to their health care providers about colon tests,” Sue Clifford, state director of communications for the American Cancer Society, said Monday.

About 800 Maine residents will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, and approximately 300 of them will die from the disease, according to ACS statistics.

“Parts of Penobscot, Washington, and Oxford counties have high incidents of colon cancer, and that’s why we’re very happy to partner with Bangor-Brewer to make people more aware,” Clifford said. “In many cases, the cancer could be eradicated if people would get this test.

“Hopefully this will be the start of many positive efforts to increase screening tests in the area.”

Colorectal cancer kills approximately 148,00 Americans a year. It is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, second only to lung cancer, and testing can actually prevent the disease, according to society statistics.

“I’m one of those males that’s dead center in the place that colon cancer is detectable early,” Cashwell said Monday. “I have gone through the screening process and actually have peace of mind because of it.

“I had a friend that died of colon cancer, and if he had had the screening available, he’d probably still be here,” the Bangor official said.

According to Kelly, both she and Cashwell think that it’s very important to be aware and be tested on a regular basis.

“We’re aware of women and breast cancer because of what they’re trying to do now with colon cancer,” Kelly noted. “We’ve got the testing for colon cancer, and it’s something that is so easy for us to do.”

A cancer survivor, a doctor, and others will also speak on the importance of colon cancer testing.

For more information about colon cancer risk factors, prevention, and available testing, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.