What is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month?
March is National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month. According to American Cancer Society, among cancers that affect both genders, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the US, and the third leading cause when considering men and women separately. Every year approximately 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)1
Colorectal cancer is a term for cancer that occurs in either the colon or the rectum. It often begins when cells in the inner lining of colon or rectum become abnormal and grow out of control. In most cases, the cancer starts out as a growth called a polyp. Over time, some polyps can grow and develop into cancer. Although CRC is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the US, this disease is highly preventable with regular screening. Screening can help prevent colorectal cancer by locating the abnormal polyps to be removed.
Did you know that colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms? Many people experience no symptoms in the early stages. Because of this, colorectal cancer can only be caught through regular screening, which makes screening extremely important. When symptoms do appear, they vary depending on the cancer’s location and size. Some people may experience abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and change in bowel habit and weight loss.
While gender does not seem to be a factor for colorectal cancer, age definitely is. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people aged 50 and older1. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults begin regular screening at age 50, with a follow-up every 10 years if no polyps are detected. Those with family history of CRC should be screened even earlier.
In addition to timely and regular screening for colorectal cancer, there are also many things you can do that can help lower your risk of getting the disease, such as changing the risk factors that you can control:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Don’t drink too much alcohol
- Don’t smoke
