Recognizing March as Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month

Recognizing March as Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month WHEREAS, Once considered a danger for those in older age, colon cancer and rectal cancer, collectively known as colorectal cancer, are rising at a shocking rate in younger adults. According to experts, 1 in 5 diagnoses of colorectal cancer occurs in someone under the age of 55, and colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer-related death in young people; and WHEREAS, In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, with 1 in 25 men and 1 in 26 women developing colorectal cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women; and WHEREAS, Experts estimate that more than half of colorectal cancer cases in the U.S. may be linked to modifiable risk factors, including diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use; and WHEREAS, Understanding the risks of colorectal cancer and taking proactive steps can make a meaningful difference; and WHEREAS, Risk factors for colorectal cancer within a person’s control include a diet high in processed and red meats and low in fiber, fruits, and vegetables; physical inactivity and obesity; and smoking and alcohol use; and WHEREAS, Risk factors beyond a person’s control include age, genetics, and a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, as well as race and ethnicity: American Indian and Alaska Native populations have the highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S., follo…