March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US, but it can be prevented with routine screening. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 24 women will develop this cancer at some point in their lives. Current estimates for the number of colorectal cancers in the US for 2023 are 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer. Additional statistics can be found in the American Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures report.

If you are 45 or older, talk to your doctor about screening for colorectal cancer. Getting screened for colorectal cancer may not sound pleasant, but screening can prevent cancer. Many people think their only option for screening is a colonoscopy, but there are several screening tests options; some you can even do from home. Talk to your doctor to decide which is best for you.

Do you know how to prevent colorectal cancer? Learn more and take this quick quiz to check your knowledge!