Duty Calls: Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Did you know that March is Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month?

Taking the opportunity to get screened for colorectal cancer is a serious and important duty to both yourself and your loved ones. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women. Because the average age at diagnosis is younger, screening is now recommended for anyone over the age of 45. UHA RN Care Specialist, Floris Batara and Data Analytics Manager, Wade Orimoto, explain why early detection is key and some of the risk factors involved with colorectal cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society:

• Most colorectal cancers are found in people without a family history of colorectal cancer.¹
• Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer.²
• Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.³
• Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the United States.³ 
• If found and treated early, the 5-year survival rate is 90%!

For more facts and information about colon/colorectal cancer, check out the links below or visit the American Cancer Society’s website.

• Clinician’s Reference Stool-Based Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet
• Get Your Tests
• Help for Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers
• You Can Help Reduce Your Cancer Risk
• Cancer.org Colon Cancer Videos
• National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable Videos
• American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Detection, Diagnosis & Staging

Sources:
¹ https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
² https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
³ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html