Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Let’s Talk Screening

Editor's Note: This blog was originally published on March 18, 2021, and was updated for relevancy.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to encouraging patients, survivors, and caregivers to share their stories, advocate for colorectal cancer prevention, and inform others about the importance of early detection.

Colorectal cancer is cancer that forms in the colon or rectum, 2 areas of the digestive system that help remove solid waste from the body. It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. (American Cancer Society, n.d.). While it’s a common cancer, colorectal cancer rates have gone down as more people have routine colorectal cancer screenings. Some of these screening tests, like colonoscopies, let doctors remove polyps (abnormal growths) before they can develop into cancer.

To catch colorectal cancer early, when it is small, hasn’t spread, and might be easier to treat, the American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at 45 years old.

Get Key Details About Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors 

The Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening can prevent colorectal cancer through the detection and removal of polyps. It can also detect cancer at an early stage, when the cancer may be more easily treated. The colorectal cancer death rate has dropped by 55% from 1970 to 2018 (American Cancer Society, 2021), mostly due to earlier detection through screening and improvements in treatment.

While there have been great advancements in early detection, studies show rates of colorectal cancer among people younger than 50 are on the rise. As such, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of medical experts, recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45.

Having a family history or an inherited genetic condition of colorectal cancer affects the age you should begin screening, the type of screening you receive, and how often you are screened. People who think or know they are at higher risk for colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor about starting screenings before age 45.

You can drastically reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by:

• talking to your doctor
• understanding your health history
• taking preventative measures such as improving your diet and exercising
• getting screened early

Impact of COVID-19 on Screening

Routine screening can prevent colorectal cancer. However, studies found that the number of colorectal screening tests dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic (Printz, 2020). CSC urges people to talk with their doctors to resume recommended cancer screenings, like colonoscopies, to decrease the negative impact the pandemic has had on early detection of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Resources and Support

If you are living with colorectal cancer or are a caregiver to someone with colorectal cancer, we offer a variety of resources to help ease the burden of your journey:

• Find more information about colorectal cancer, including risk factors, testing, different treatment options, and how to cope.
• Connect with our Cancer Support Helpline by phone or online. Our experienced Helpline staff are here to offer free navigation for cancer patients or their loved ones.
• Find a caring and supportive CSC location near you. We have 196 locations worldwide, including 52 licensed affiliates and health care partnerships.