What you need to know about colorectal cancer

Blue Colorectal Cancer Awareness Ribbon

No matter which cancer you’ve had before, you still need to think about colorectal cancer. In recognition of the March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, here’s what you should know about colorectal cancer to take care of yourself and your family:

1. You need to get screened.

Colon cancer tumor

Everyone needs colorectal cancer screening at some point. Your own cancer diagnosis may change the screening recommendation for you and your family. Talk to your oncologist about the best screening strategy for you.

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2. Colonoscopy prep is important. 

It’s no laughing matter: failing to prepare for your colonoscopy properly and completely might require starting the whole process all over again.

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3. Younger people need to consider colorectal cancer, too.

A young man sits with his doctor in an exam room

While 90% of colorectal cancer diagnoses occur in those ages 50 and older, incidence rates are increasing for young people under 50. Studies estimate that by 2030, colon cancer rates in 20- to 34-year-olds will increase by 90% and rectal cancer rates will rise by more than 124%.

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