03/18/2025
📣MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! 💩
*Remember to discuss your screening options with your Provider 👨⚕️ at your next appointment!*
Colore**al cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, behind only lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 152,810 people in the United States received a diagnosis of colon or re**al cancer in 2024, and approximately 53,010 died of it.
Colore**al cancer awareness is important because many cases of cancer of the colon or re**um are preventable.
The five-year relative survival rate for cancer localized to the colon or re**um is 91.1%, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The survival rate drops significantly as the cancer spreads beyond those organs. Considering all cases, the five-year survival rate is 65%.
EARLY-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER
Colore**al cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people under the age of 50, which is called “early onset.” The incidence of early-onset colore**al cancer has increased about 2% per year since 1994.
Factors contributing to an increase in early-onset colore**al cancer, according to the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, include:
Unhealthy diet and the microbiome
Obesity
Chemicals in the environment
Use of antibiotics
Consumption of alcoholic beverages
Sedentary behaviors
To reduce the risk of cancer, according to the AACR Cancer Progress Report, consumption of red meat 🥩 should be limited to no more than three servings (a total of 12 to 18 ounces) a week, and shouldn’t include processed meats like hot dogs 🌭, bacon 🥓, and salami , because these foods can increase the risk of colore**al cancer, among others. On the other hand, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish can help lower the risk of developing certain cancers and many other chronic conditions. 🍎🍉🍓🥦🥑🥕🥚🍠🫘
