March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! In 1999, the Prevent Cancer Foundation worked closely with legislators, the American Digestive Health Foundation and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable to designate March as the month to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. The tagline “Preventable, Treatable, Beatable” was also created for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month along with blue becoming the recognized colorectal cancer prevention color.
Each year, about 140,000 men and women in the United States get colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people who are 50 years and older and only about two thirds of adults are up to date with colorectal cancer screening. March is has become a rallying point where thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates throughout the country come together to discuss these issues surrounding colorectal cancer and screening rates.
March is a great time to spread the word about the importance of getting screened for colorectal cancer. By holding fundraising and education events, talking to friends and family about screening, sharing stories, and advocating for policy change, we can stop the second leading cause of cancer deaths of men and women from taking more lives. By raising awareness about colorectal cancer, communities, organizations, and health professionals can take action toward prevention and early detection. Here are some other ways you can support National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:
1. March 6th is dress in blue day. Wear blue to support colorectal cancer patients and survivors as well as their families and their community.
2. Volunteer as a peer-to-peer buddy to another patient, survivor, or family member
3. Attend colorectal cancer fundraising events hosted by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance
4. Donate to support research and other colorectal cancer prevention efforts
5. If you are 50 years or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer
To learn more about National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and ways to get involved this March, visit https://www.ccalliance.org/about/awareness-month.
For more information about how UHRU is supporting National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.uhru.org