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. For adults under 50, it is now the number one cause of cancer-related mortality. 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 Director of Data Analytics, Pharmacy, Provider Contracting and Claims, 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 can help find precancerous polyps and detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear.²
• Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer‑related death among adults under age 50 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.

• Cancer Screening Quick Reference Guide
• Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers
• Get Your Tests
• Help for Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers
• You Can Help Reduce Your Cancer Risk
• 7 Things to Know About Getting a Colonoscopy
• Cancer.org Colon Cancer Videos
• National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable Videos
• 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