Did you know that colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States? Fortunately, we can change that sobering statistic by following some important advice - get screened. Colorectal cancer can be prevented and when found early, it is very treatable.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which is a great time to learn more about colorectal cancer and what you can do to protect yourself. Here are some important facts:
- Everyone age 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer. You may need to be screened at a younger age if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.
- Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally.
- If colorectal cancer is found early, there is a 95% survival rate.
- Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages.
- You don’t have to have a family history of colorectal cancer to be at risk.
Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps, or small growths in the colon or rectum. The longer a polyp goes undetected, the greater the chance it will turn into cancer. The good news is that screening tests can find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer. Several screening test options are available. Ask your doctor about the best option for you. A simple test could save your life.
Healthy habits can also reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, as well as other types of cancer. These include eating healthy, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, reducing alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight.
To learn more about colorectal cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.