Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colon cancer affects thousands every year, but is preventable.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and although we are at the end of the month it's still a good time to bring up some reminders about this disease, reminders that could save your life.

Every year nearly 150,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer and unfortunately around 50,000 die from it. Some of these deaths could be prevented by an early diagnosis and that means screening, and in particular getting your colonoscopy.

The highest risk for colon cancer is in those older than fifty, those that smoke, are overweight and sedentary. Also, too much alcohol and red or processed meats can up your chances as well.

Your best ways to prevent colorectal cancer are to eat right and exercise regularly, quit smoking and limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day. But your other best bet is to get screened since that is the best way to detect early intestinal growths before they turn into cancer. That means for most of us the test we often joke about, the colonoscopy, starting at age 50. Again, detection is your best bet for fighting this still deadly disease.