Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is as common in women as it is in men. In fact, we are all at risk. Last year, over 136,830 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an estimated 50,310 died of the disease.

The good news is that about half of all colon cancer deaths a year could be prevented in the U.S. if everyone age 50 and older got screened for colon cancer. Even when not prevented, colon cancer, in its early stages, is highly treatable, with a five-year survival rate of 90%. However, due in part to people failing to get tested, only 39% of colon cancers are detected at this stage.

Colon cancer increases with age and more than 90% of cases are diagnosed in individuals 50 and older. If you have a family history of the disease, talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier. Colorectal cancer almost always starts with a polyp – a small growth on the lining of the colon or rectum – that doctors can remove and stop colorectal cancer before it starts. Get tested; protect yourself and those you love.

We encourage you to access the resources on our site. Learn more about preventive measures and the benefits of screenings. We hope, through our efforts, individuals will seek preventive care, live healthier lives, have better health outcomes and an overall better care experience.