Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Daily News

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March 8, 2023

Human colorectal cancer cells treated with a topoisomerase inhibitor and an inhibitor of the protein kinase ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related), a drug combination under study as a cancer therapy. Cell nuclei are stained blue; the chromosomal protein histone gamma-H2AX marks DNA damage in red and foci of DNA replication in green. Created by Yves Pommier, Rozenn Josse, 2014

Colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening, and highly treatable when caught early. Despite this, colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the US.

Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. But a third of people who could get checked still do not, sometimes due to a lack of knowledge about prevention or limited access to screening.

Delaying or missing a screening allows colorectal cancer to grow and become more dangerous, while symptoms may not appear for long after.

Learn more about screening recommendations and options below.

Screening Recommendations

Adults should begin regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often, if you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Factors that may increase your risk include:

Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
A genetic syndrome such as familiar adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

Speak with your doctor about when to start testing, which test will work best for your situation, and how often to test.

Types of Screening Tests

Colorectal cancer screening tests can be divided into two main categories (click the links to access detailed descriptions from the American Cancer Society):

Stool-based tests:

Visual (structural) exams:

For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, take the time to learn more about colorectal cancer and how to prevent it. Educate yourself to protect your health and that of your loved ones.

Looking for a doctor? Our City of Cincinnati Primary Care (CCPC) health centers have been recognized as Gold Health Center Quality Leaders by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Find a location near you.