March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Anybody can get colorectal cancer: Any age. Any gender. Any ethnicity.

Conditions that can increase the risk of Colorectal Cancer: 

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• Black/African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews are at higher risk
• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)
• Inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer: 

• Blood in the stool
• Persistent unusual bowel movements like constipation or diarrhea
• Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away
• Losing weight for no reason
• Colorectal Cancer can develop without symptoms

Colorectal Cancer and Ethnicity:

• African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates.
• From 2009-2013, Colorectal Cancer incidence rates were 20% higher for African Americans.
• Colorectal Cancer death rates are 40% higher for African Americans

Facts about Colorectal Cancer:

• 1 in 24 people will get colorectal cancer in their lifetime
• Screening (testing for colorectal cancer) is the No. 1 way you can prevent Colorectal Cancer
• With screening, Colorectal Cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and has a 90% survival rate

Colorectal Cancer screening should begin at age 45. Colorectal Cancer is highly treatable if caught early. On-time screening is essential and lifesaving.  Get screened for Colorectal Cancer today!