March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Published On: March 1, 2019

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to advocate and educate the public on how colorectal cancer can be prevented and treated.

Colorectal cancer is the second-most common cancer in Canada and it is estimated that more than 9,000 Canadians die from this disease every year.

This month, men and women who are 50 years and older are encouraged to get screened every two years to help detect irregularities before any notable signs or symptoms of cancer occur. Screening tests increase the chance of finding colorectal cancer at an early stage, when there is a nine out of 10 chance of being cured. Additionally, research shows that more than two-thirds of people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of the disease.

What are the screening guidelines for Colon cancer?

Men and women aged 50 to 74 who are at average risk of developing colorectal cancer, meaning they don’t have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with a history of colorectal cancer, are recommended to get screened with the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) every two years.

The FOBT is a safe and painless cancer screening test that checks a person’s stool (poop) for tiny drops of blood, which can be caused by colorectal cancer.

During the month of March, take the time to get informed and lower your risk of developing Colon cancer. Speak with a health care professional about getting screened.

Click here to learn more about Colon cancer screening and the FOBT.