Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colorectal cancer is a disease where cells in the colon or rectum grows out of control. It is the 4^th most common cancer diagnosis and the 2^nd most common cause of death in the United States.³ According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that there will be 154,270 new cases diagnosed in the United States in 2025 and an  estimated 52,900 deaths. Colorectal cancer affects one in 24 men and one in 25 women annually.¹

During the early stages of colorectal cancer, there may not be any noticeable symptoms. As the disease advances, symptoms begin to appear and can include bowel habit changes, blood in/on stool, diarrhea, constipation, feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely, abdominal pain, aches/cramps that do not go away, and unexplained weight loss.²  

Several things raise the chances of a person developing colorectal cancer.  Some of these can be changed while others cannot. Those who are overweight or obese, have type 2 diabetes, eat a diet rich in red and processed meats, have low vitamin D levels, smoke, or have heavy to moderate alcohol use are at higher risk. Additionally, age, race, ethnicity, sex at birth, history of cholecystectomy, colorectal polyps, irritable bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, radiation to the pelvic area, family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inherited syndromes also raise a person’s risk of colorectal cancer.¹

So, what can be done to prevent colorectal cancer? While there is no guaranteed way to prevent the disease, steps can be taken to lower a person’s risk. Adopting lifestyle changes that include eating a healthy diet, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption helps to lower the risk for other chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes type 2) that in turn increase colorectal cancer risk.

It is recommended at age 45 that individuals begin periodical colorectal screening tests. There are several tests available to screen for the disease. Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, CT scans, and Cologuard are all used to determine the presence of the disease. Speak with your doctor to determine which test may be most appropriate for your needs.

Available treatments for colorectal cancer are dependent on the stage and severity of the disease. There are local treatments (e.g., radiation, surgery) and systemic treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy).² For more resources on colorectal cancer prevention, risks, and treatment options, check out the links below.

Resources

American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Fight Colorectal Cancer

References

1. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer. Published January 16, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colorectal Cancer. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/about/index.html
3. National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer. Accessed March 17, 2025. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html