Spring is almost here!! You know, March is really an amazing time of the year, with the winter weather taking a backseat and that beautiful, “let’s spend the day outside” weather of spring beginning to make its way in. But, March is also significant for another reason. In the 1980’s, colorectal cancer statistics were continually climbing, as this disease lacked the awareness needed to truly make a difference in the lives of so many Americans that needed it. Doctors and organizations began to emphasize the disease and the importance of screening, and numbers began to drop. The real ‘bell cow’ came in 2000, though, as President Bill Clinton and his administration made a decision based on this data that would positively impact millions of Americans by raising awareness of colorectal cancer and continuing the decline in the death rate as well as diagnosis rate. President Clinton made March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. And we (with so many Americans) are grateful for it!
What is Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the term used for both colon cancer and rectal cancer as they are in the same area. While the colon represents a portion of the large intestine, the rectum is the passage between the colon and the anus. In both the colon and the rectum, cancer develops in the form of polyps. Polyps begin as non-cancerous, abnormal growths. In most cases, no symptoms are associated with pre-cancerous polyps, which is one of the things that makes this disease so dangerous. However, if the polyps are not removed, they can turn into cancer and spread. Colorectal cancer is difficult to detect in the early stages. It is often only realized when it has spread to the liver, lungs, other organs, or is in a late stage.
Colorectal Cancer Stats
When not including skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States and the second most when you combine both men and women. It is expected that over 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this coming year. In fact, 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer over the course of their lifetime. Unfortunately, these same statistics show that over 50,000 people will lose their battle with colorectal cancer this year in 2021. One thing that has doctors concerned has to do with the rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger people. While the number of people diagnosed with either colon or rectal cancer has decreased per year in older adults, the rate has actually increased some in people under the age of 50. This has led to the American Cancer Society to decrease their age to begin colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45 back in 2018 in those that are considered at an average risk. So, if you are nearing this age, or have already reached it, then you need to discuss your options with your doctor as soon as possible!
How Do I Raise Awareness
So, do I have any responsibility in raising awareness, and if so, then how do I do it? Well, the answer to the first question is yes. A resounding, YES! Why? Well, 1 in 3 people that should be getting screened are either unintentionally behind in their colorectal cancer screenings (COVID shut things down, forgetting to schedule, etc.) or are intentionally behind due to a fear of the testing methods or just not caring about getting screened. Well, the statistics for those diagnosed with colorectal cancer don’t change for those who just ‘don’t want to get screened’ or those who had barriers to getting screened. Thus, it’s up to all of us - not just those impacted by this disease, but all of us to raise awareness to make sure the numbers of those impacted under 50 years old begins to decrease!
What can we do?
Share Your Story
Are you a colorectal cancer survivor? One of the most important things you can do is share your story. There is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to garnering the strength and support to survive this disease and nothing to be ashamed of if you feel guilty that you survived it while others did not. Telling others about your story with colorectal cancer can help others find the strength, encouragement, and courage to go do a number of things. It can encourage them to go and get checked for the first time. It can encourage them to keep a positive mindset while waiting for a diagnosis, or even during a difficult period of treatments. It can encourage one to not lose hope - no matter how bleak the diagnosis may appear, that they can overcome and continue to beat the odds! Don’t keep your story to yourself and your immediate family. Carefully write it up and share it on social media, with your doctor, with family and friends, on websites requesting stories, or in other places. You may never know the reach with which your story may go, but you can guarantee someone will read it and it will impact them in a positive way.
Dress in Blue
Each year, there is a day dedicated to dressing in blue, which is the official color of Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. On March 5th, many around the country dress in blue to raise awareness of colon and rectal cancer. Dressing in all blue is sure to lead people to ask questions about the ‘why’ of doing something like this. This gives you a perfect opportunity to share your ‘why’ and to share some statistics about colorectal cancer and screening. You never know who is receptive and who truly needs this information! Or, it is sure to encourage others who are going through this disease and treatment to continue on, as there are many out there who both care and are supportive of what they are trying to do - even if they never have to say a word to this person.
Use the Blue Ribbon
The blue ribbon represents colorectal cancer awareness month, and you can use it in a number of ways. You can purchase a ribbon on a website with verbiage on it or even buy a piece of blue ribbon at the store, cut off a small piece, shape it in the form of a ribbon, and pin it to your shirt before going out and about during your day. In addition to wearing a blue ribbon in support of those suffering through colorectal cancer, you can also post something on your social media account. There are several images you can find on Google you can use to post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or even LinkedIn to show your support for those going through this cancer and even just to raise awareness of the potency of the disease. Choose to post once a month, using different statistics regarding diagnosis, treatments, death rates, screening rates, or other things that will keep your posts fresh and pointed towards raising awareness. Tag friends and family members in your posts and challenge them to repost in the comment section of your post.
Phone a Friend/Family Member
Colorectal cancer is a disease that isn’t really noticed until it has spread past the colon and into other parts of the body. When this happens, the prognosis becomes more difficult and less optimistic. If you have a family member or friend that is in the age to get screened, shoot them a text or email. Call them and ask the hard questions. Sometimes, we fall into the rut of not asking hard questions that may incite some sort of response we aren’t ready for. However, the statistics are there for a reason - and that is because colorectal cancer doesn’t discriminate based on who does or doesn’t want to hear about the disease. Ask them if they’ve been screened. Ask if they are aware of the statistics. You may be the thing that instigates a reaction that ends up saving their lives.
Colorectal cancer statistics should decrease if we all commit to doing our par in both getting screened (when it is our time) and in raising awareness for those that don’t realize the seriousness of this disease. If you have questions about your chances for contracting colorectal cancer or whether or not you should be worried about a diagnosis, contact our office and schedule a visit. Colorectal cancer is a treatable disease if it is caught in its early stages or even as a precancerous polyp. Let’s lower the statistics one person at a time, beginning with you!
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