Smart Talk: Budget impasse hits Ag; Colorectal cancer

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, March 14, 2016:

Agriculture research and agencies that focus on issues ranging from pests that could harm crops, to food safety, could be jeopardized by the ongoing state budget impasse.

A partial spending plan was approved in December.  However, Gov. Tom Wolf used his line-item veto power to blue line some $5 billion from the Republican-passed budget. Included was more than $50 million meant for agricultural research farms and Penn State Extension offices across the state.

Those programs could be shut down unless the money begins flowing from the state.

To discuss the situation on Monday’s Smart Talk are Richard Roush, Dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Mark O’Neill, Director of Media and Strategic Communications with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Cumberland County farmer Matthew Meals. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and 40,000 rectal cancers diagnosed in 2016.  More than 49,000 will die from colorectal cancer this year. 

It also is one of the most preventable types of cancer. 

What causes colorectal cancer, how can it be prevented, and what are the symptoms?   

Joining us on the program are Dr. Parvi Panchal, who is board certified in gastroenterology, as well as internal medicine and Cheri Shoemaker, a colon cancer survivor.