March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer, or CRC, is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Every March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month spotlights this disease and inspires more people to get checked starting at age 45. Two reasons why getting checked matters: 

• Screening can find the warning signs of colon and rectal cancer, letting doctors take action to prevent the disease. 

• Screening can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment is most effective. 

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with CRC in their lifetime, but you can make a difference today. Learn about ways to build awareness, how to get support, and more below. Tomorrow can’t wait. If colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening, and it’s highly treatable when caught early, then why is colorectal cancer the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.?  It’s a great question with a complicated answer. A lack of knowledge about prevention and limited access to screening has a lot to do with it, and a third of people who could get checked don’t. A missed or delayed screening gives colorectal cancer a chance to grow and become more dangerous long before symptoms appear. To raise the profile of this disease and encourage screening, President Clinton designated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in February 2000. Since then, it has grown to be a rallying point for the colorectal cancer community where thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates join together to spread colorectal cancer awareness. Getting checked can’t wait. This March, join the Alliance in saving lives through prevention awareness.