National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month-March 2021
We recognize National Colorectal Cancer Month raise awareness for the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States. With well over 100,000 new cases each year and over one million cases total "Colon Cancer" is a huge problem. But with early detection of this disease, it is estimated that well over half of the deaths that occur annually could be prevented.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
According to the American Cancer Society, anyone can develop Colon cancer, but some studied factors are: A diet that's high in red meats (such as beef, pork, lamb or liver) and processed meats (like hot dogs and deli meat) raises your colorectal cancer risk. Age and smoking are also risk factors. The best thing you can do to avoid this cancer is to stay active, don't smoke, eat a diet full of vegetables instead of red meat, and get regular colon screenings, starting at age 45, or younger, if you have a familly member who has had this cancer.
5 FACTS ABOUT COLON CANCER:
1. A person may have colon cancer, with no symptoms at all.
2. If you were born in the 90's.
3. Colon cancer runs in the family.
4. It is the 3rd leading cause of death for young adults.
5. Screening works
Colon cancer is treatable and is not necessarily a death sentence. The reason the cancer is more deadly for U.S. adults is because 20-25% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, which means the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Still, this may be cured with a range of treatment options available, including surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on how far the cancer has spread.
It was in the year 2000 that President Clinton officially recognized National Colorectal Cancer Month. Since then various organizations have worked together to try and raise awareness and increase early detection.
