The Beginning National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month began when the Cancer Research Foundation of America , the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy , the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable joined forces to bring critical messages about colorectal cancer to the American people. Together the founding partners have joined with 45 collaborating partners to focus their energies and resources on colorectal cancer each year during the month of March and all year long. All across the nation organizations will sponsor activities to bring the public information about colorectal cancer. Each year, approximately 135,400 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 56,700 people die annually. The goal is to generate widespread awareness about colorectal cancer and encourage people to learn more about how to prevent the disease through regular screening and a healthy lifestyle.
Colorectal cancer is highly treatable and curable when detected early.
If you are 50 years old or older, you should get screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Regular exercise can help reduce one's risk for colorectal cancer. Contact your health care provider to learn more about how to prevent colorectal cancer and to detect the disease in its earliest, most treatable stages.