March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an excellent reminder that regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum). If you’re 45 to 75 years old, regularly get screened for colorectal cancer. If you’re younger than 45 or older than 75 and are at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about screening.

Unlike most cancers, colorectal cancer can be prevented. Regular screenings can find and remove pre-cancerous polyps, which don’t always cause symptoms before they turn into cancer. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important. Several screening tests can find polyps or colorectal cancer, including some that you can do at home. Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test and how often to be tested.

The Cecil County Department of Health offers no-cost screening to qualifying uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Call the Division of Health Promotion’s cancer screening program at 410-996-5168 to see if you qualify!