A Closer Look at Colorectal Cancer | The Prescription Shop
March is here, bringing spring goodness with it—and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
You’ve probably heard more about colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and/or rectum) in recent years than ever before. That’s because a growing number of people are learning about the disease and the importance of regular screenings.
At The Prescription Shop, we’re here to not only provide Calhoun and Gordon County residents with innovative healthcare products and services—we’re also here to help educate our community about relevant health conditions.
This month, it’s our mission to do our part to talk more about colorectal cancer and colorectal health.
The Numbers on Colorectal Cancer
When it comes to colorectal cancer, there’s both bad news and good news.
We like to end things on a positive note, so let’s start with the not-so-good news:
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
- It’s also the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women in the U.S.
- Roughly 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year.
- Each year, it takes the lives of approximately 50,000 Americans.
- The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. The majority of cases—more than 90 percent—are found in people 50 and older.
Now, for the good news: Colorectal cancer can be prevented, in a manner of speaking.
What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
While there’s no definitive way to prevent colorectal cancer from developing, one of the most powerful things you can do to lower your risk is lead a healthy lifestyle.
As you might imagine, that means (among other healthy habits):
- limiting how much alcohol you drink
- not smoking
- staying physically active
- working toward and maintaining a healthy weight
In addition to being proactive about your health, you can also help prevent colorectal cancer from developing—or catch it in its earliest stages, when it’s easiest to treat—by simply getting screened.
According to the American Cancer Society, “if all adults 45 and older were screened for colorectal cancer[,] we could avoid thousands of deaths each year and prevent many people from ever getting the disease.”
Be part of the growing number of people who are taking charge of their colorectal health and getting screened!
There are a number of screening test options. While many people have a colonoscopy, the test methods available to you will depend on a handful of factors. Talk with your doctor about which is right for you.
This March, we aim to help spread awareness of colorectal cancer and its impact for our community. We invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook page—and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about our services. Our friendly staff and board-certified pharmacists are here to serve you through every step of your health journey.