March marks Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: what you need to know

DELMARVA – March marks Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s the second-leading killer of adult men and women in the United States.

“Screening for this early is very important,” said Director of Nursing for the Wicomico County Health Department, Olivia Butler.

Some risk factors include being overweight, not leading an active lifestyle, high-fat low-fiber diets, smoking tobacco, and drinking alcohol. And, if you have colorectal cancer in your family history, Butler says that’s just one more reason to get screened early.

“Screening should start at age 45,” Butler said. “You would be in contact with your health care provider to order the screening. But, 45 is when they should start. Earlier if there are other risk factors.”

Signs and symptoms to look out for include changes in bowel habit, blood in your stool, abdominal cramping or pain, and unexplained weight loss. For more information about colorectal cancer, click here.