March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

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Every March, during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, communities, clinicians, caregivers, and survivors come together to raise awareness about colorectal cancer—one of the most common cancers in the United States. While progress in prevention, screening, and treatment has saved lives, this disease remains a critical public health issue.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the lower digestive tract. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. However, thanks to effective screening and treatment advances, survival has improved significantly over recent decades.

Colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth called a polyp, which can become cancerous if not removed. Detecting and removing polyps early through routine screening is one of the most powerful ways to prevent cancer from developing.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer:

Age – Most cases occur after age 50, although diagnoses in younger adults are increasing.
Family history and genetics – Inherited syndromes like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis significantly elevate risk.
Chronic inflammatory conditions – Conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis raise risk.
Diet and lifestyle – Diets high in red and processed meats, low physical activity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and type 2 diabetes are linked to higher risk.
Race and ethnicity – Certain groups, including African American, Hispanic, and Ashkenazi Jewish populations, have higher incidence rates.

Importance of Screening and Early Diagnosis

Routine screening is a cornerstone of colorectal cancer prevention and early detection.

Colonoscopies allow doctors to view the entire colon and rectum and remove polyps before they turn into cancer.
Screening is generally recommended every 10 years starting at age 45, but may begin earlier for higher-risk individuals.
Early-stage colorectal cancer has a much better prognosis than advanced disease. Survival rates decrease sharply as the disease progresses, underscoring the importance of early detection.

Symptoms can vary but may include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. However, many people have no symptoms in the early stages, which is why screening is so crucial.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cancer’s location, stage, and individual health, and often involves a combination of approaches:

Surgery is typically the first line of treatment and aims to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. In some cases, a temporary or permanent colostomy may be needed.
Chemotherapy is used before or after surgery to shrink tumors or target remaining cancer cells. For advanced disease, chemotherapy alone has limited efficacy and is combined with other treatments.
Radiation therapy is particularly important in rectal cancer, often used alongside chemotherapy.
In select advanced cases, cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) may be considered to improve disease control, especially when cancer has spread within the abdominal cavity.

Key Facts to Remember

Colorectal cancer is increasingly diagnosed in younger adults, presenting a growing clinical challenge.
Standard systemic chemotherapy has limited effectiveness in advanced disease unless used with surgery or other modalities.
The most effective treatment outcomes are achieved with a multimodal approach, often combining surgery and systemic therapy.
Finding experienced, specialized care is critically important to navigating treatment decisions and options.

Why Awareness Matters

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is more than a reminder—it’s a call to action. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk, stay up to date with screening, and share this information with those you care about. Early detection saves lives, and informed patients make stronger advocates for their own health.

Together, we can reduce the impact of colorectal cancer and support those affected throughout their journey.