07 Mar March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Posted at 10:36h
in Walk With a Doc
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!