March: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Every March is dedicated to raising awareness and support for the fight against colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a type of cancer found either in the colon or rectum at the lower end of the digestive tract. The overall five-year survival rate is 64%, but if found early and when the cancer is still localized, there is a 91% survival rate.
Can colorectal cancer be detected early?
The survival rate of those with colorectal cancer greatly increases with the quicker it is found and treated. Therefore, the use of regular cancer screenings which aim at detecting the presence of colorectal cancer before one shows symptoms of the disease is essential. Regular cancer screenings should begin at the age of 45. Go here to learn more about who should be getting regular colorectal cancer screenings. The main types of screenings are stool screenings which check feces for signs of cancer, and visual screenings which look at the colon and rectum for any abnormalities. To learn more about the different types of colorectal cancer screenings, go here.
How can you reduce your chances of getting colorectal cancer?
To reduce your chances of getting colorectal cancer, try to find it early through regular cancer screenings (if you meet the recommended ACS criteria) and be alert to what to look for. Common signs of colorectal cancer include:
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Blood in stool
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Abdominal discomfort such as cramps or pain
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Weakness
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Fatigue
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Learn more about common symptoms here.
Another way to reduce your chances of getting colorectal cancer is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes staying away from tobacco and reducing alcohol consumption. While it is best to completely stop drinking alcohol, if one does continue drinking alcohol, they should limit it as much as possible. Additionally, eating healthier and engaging in more physical activity is crucial as being obese and overweight is linked to higher incidents of colorectal cancer. To learn more about how to avoid getting colorectal cancer, go here.