March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer in people under 50 and the second deadliest overall, but it’s highly preventable.
The screening age was lowered from 50 to 45 on May 18, 2021.
Check with your health care provider to see which type of test is best for you.
Many people have heard about or have experienced what a colonoscopy is like. It may be that your health care provider will recommend a stool test or another test rather than the more complicated colonoscopy.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has a quiz you can take to get screening suggestions based on your risk factors. A more detailed quiz covering suggestions on how to lower your risks for colorectal cancer also is available.
Barriers to colorectal cancer screening and what encourages action
A survey by the alliance showed:
- Among adults who are unsure about or opposed to colorectal cancer screening, the most commonly cited barriers include cost, 48 percent; fear, 47 percent; lack of knowledge about screening options, 47 percent; perceived discomfort or embarrassment, 33 percent; and being too busy, 30 percent.
- Respondents said they’d be more likely to get screened if they had a better understanding of their personal risk, 63 percent; could avoid preparation/discomfort, 54 percent; and had clearer information about available screening options, 52 percent.
Colorectal cancer statistics
The American Cancer Society estimated that 154,270 people in the United States would be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2025, and 52,900 will die from the disease. The number of people who have died from colorectal cancer has steadily decreased since the mid-1980s due to increased screening and changing lifestyles.
Black Americans have the second-highest mortality and incidence rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S. They are 35 percent more likely to die from colorectal cancer and 15 percent more likely to develop it than non-Hispanic whites.
Colorectal cancer prevention
The American Cancer Society offers the following on prevention of colorectal cancer: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
- Get screened. No matter which test you choose, the most important thing is to get tested. From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it usually takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer. With regular screening, most polyps can be found and removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer.
- Manage your diet and physical activity. Excess body weight – overweight or obesity – increases the risk of colorectal cancer in both men and women, but the link seems to be stronger in men. Regular moderate to vigorous activity can lower the risk. Diets that are high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, probably lower colorectal cancer risk. Many studies have found a link between red meats – beef, pork, and lamb – or processed meats – such as hot dogs, sausage, and lunch meats – and increased colorectal cancer risk. Not drinking alcohol may help reduce your risk.
- Quit smoking. Long-term smoking is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, as well as many other cancers and health problems.
While Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month reminds people to get screened, the important thing is to take action to get informed and screened.
