WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States.
25-30% of people with this disease have a family history and 1 in 10 colorectal cancers are diagnosed in patients under 50 years old.
You can take action to prevent colorectal cancer by talking with your family to see if you have a family history and completing a screening.
The type of screening depends on your risk level and symptoms. Symptoms include blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, and unexplained weight loss.
You should schedule a routine screening starting at age 45. People with higher risk factors may need screenings at an earlier age. Learn more at fightcrc.org.
