03/19/2026
March is colorectal cancer awareness month! Check out this post from our own Dr. Reale about the importance of screening and your options!
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As of 2022, colorectal cancer ranked 4th for new cancer diagnoses and 2nd for number of cancer deaths per year. These numbers have been getting better for decades, but they're actually getting WORSE for young people. About 10% of colon cancer cases are diagnosed in people under 50 and that number is RISING by about 1-2% each year. James Van Der Beek just died at age 48 from this disease, Chadwick Boseman died from it at age 43, and it's on track to be the DEADLIEST cancer in people ages 20-49 in just FOUR years!
We get it, p**p is gross, but testing it could literally save your life. EVERYONE* should start screening at age 45 (*sooner in some cases). If caught early (stage 1 or 2), the five-year survival rate is about 91% but that drops to 13% for stage 4. There are many different screening options available that could put you in the clear for anywhere from 1 to 10 years depending on the test.
Here at UNHS, many people choose an at-home stool DNA test called Cologuard where you p**p in a container at home, mail back the prepaid box, and boom, 3 years in the clear if it's negative. Check out the options in the picture and give Dr. Reale a call if you have questions or want to set up a time to talk about this or anything else at 435-320-0511.
