March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month was created to provide the public with resources and information on colon cancer and that it no longer has to be a life-threatening disease.

Colorectal cancer of the colon, rectum or both, affects both sexes equally. According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, there were almost 154,000 cases of colon cancer diagnosed in 2007 and over 52,000 are estimated to die from it. The good news is that colorectal cancer is one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can be warded off by having polyps removed before they turn into cancer.

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month began in 2000 when several organizations including the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the National Colorectal Cancer joined together to raise awareness of colon cancer, public resources, and how to prevent it.

According to Dr. David S. Alberts, the average American has approximately a 40% chance of developing some form of cancer in their lifetime. What is even a scarier statistic is that over 80% of all cancers are related to smoking habits, diets, lack of exercise and other lifestyle factors.

Colon cancer is "silent", as it usually has no symptoms until the cancer has grown. This is why getting a colonoscopy beginning at the age of 50, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer, is so important. When colorectal cancer is caught early, the five year survival rate is over 90%.

Being overweight and obese increases a person's risk factors for developing colorectal cancer. For those who are mildly overweight, with a BMI of 25 - 30, the risk is 20% greater for men and 10% greater for women. For those who are obese, the risk increases to 60% for men and 30% for women.

If your family has a history of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or colorectal cancer, you may be at an increased risk. Your physician can tell you what age you should start having screenings if there is a family history that puts you at risk.

A colonoscopy is not the only way to prevent colorectal cancer. By exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, and not smoking you can decrease your chances of getting this form of cancer.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

There are typically no symptoms in the beginning stages of colon cancer. Once the cancer has developed some symptoms may include:

- Bright red rectal bleeding or blood in stool

- Vomiting

- Unexplained weight loss

- Stomach pain, bloating, cramps, with frequent gas pains

- Diarrhea or constipation with a feeling that your bowel is not empty

- Extreme fatigue

With National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month here, spread the word to others the importance of having proper screenings for colon cancer and how to protect yourself from developing this form of cancer.