Most people are surprised to learn that it's colorectal cancer.
Unfortunately, Maryland's colorectal cancer mortality rate is significantly higher than the overall rate for the United States. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and a good time to focus on reducing your risk of developing this disease. As with many other types of cancers, the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. Men and women over age 50 are at the highest risk, as well as people with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Those who have had inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease are also at risk.