A Leading Cause of Cancer-Related Deaths

Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is expected to cause about 50,630 deaths during 2018. Knowing the proper information, including your own risk factors and getting screened as needed could save and add years to your life. We encourage you to take a few minutes, read, and start with these basics.

What is colorectal cancer?

Both the colon, which is about six feet long, and the rectum are parts of the large intestine and the body’s digestive system. Every day our bodies in general, including the digestive system, undergo massive processes of destruction and repair because our cells wear out and need to be replaced. In the complex processes of replacing cells, errors may occur, and cancer of the colon and rectum start when these processes of normal replacement go awry. As these abnormal cells grow and divide and multiply, they can lead to growths inside the colon called polyps. Often these polyps grow slow and may be precancerous tumors that don’t produce symptoms. Over time, some of these polyps can become cancerous, which is how most colorectal cancers begin: silent. read more

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