Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March 27, 2023

Your lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Colon Cancer, the third most common cancer in the United States, is about 1 in 24 people. It is highly preventable and treatable if detected early. Since it is the second most deadly cancer in the United States, awareness is key and can be a lifesaver! Help us spread awareness and prevention this March for Colon Cancer Awareness Month!

What is Colon Cancer?

Navy Blue Colon Cancer Ribbon Cupped in someone's hands

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is cancer that is found in the colon or rectum. It can be referred to as colon cancer, rectal cancer, or anal cancer depending on where the cancer starts. Colon cancer and rectal cancer share many similarities so they’re often grouped together and called colorectal cancer.

Who Is Most Likely To Have A Colon Cancer Diagnosis?

According to the American Cancer Society:

A colon cancer diagnosis is 30% higher in men than in women.
The majority of colorectal cancers occur in people older than 50. Diagnosis and mortality are highest in non-Hispanic blacks.
Overall the colon cancer diagnosis rate has dropped each year since the mid-1980s.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

Colorectal Cancer Facts & History

In 2000, President Clinton designated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to help spread colon cancer awareness and encourage people to get screened for the disease. Colon cancer screening makes colon cancer highly preventable and highly treatable thanks to early detection.

If colon cancer prevention is so effective, why is colorectal cancer the second deadliest cancer in the United States?

The 3 Main Reasons are:

Lack of Knowledge About Colon Cancer Prevention
Limited Access to Colon Cancer Screening
Many People Are Unwilling to Get Checked

Get Support

Ways to Build Colon Cancer Awareness

You can help us prevent CRC (Colorectal Cancer) and save lives by spreading the word! Your voice is powerful! Share with your community that March is Colon Cancer Awareness month, and now is the time to get tested! Below are 3 ways to support CRC Awareness month!

Create A Colorectal Awareness Month Social Media Post
Wear Blue For CRC Awareness Month!
Sport A Colon Cancer Awareness Month Ribbon!

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How You Can Get Involved With Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Colon Cancer Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have a helping heart and want to give hope and strength to others in the midst of their cancer journey? Whatever brings you to CanCare, whether you’re a cancer survivor or caregiver, we welcome you with open arms! We have several colon cancer volunteer opportunities and events you can get involved with. As a colon cancer volunteer, you will provide hope and support to someone who is experiencing the challenges and emotional struggles that accompany a colon cancer diagnosis. Our mission at CanCare is to ensure that anyone facing cancer has a survivor by their side.

Volunteer

If volunteering isn’t for you but you still want to help, you can donate to CanCare and still play a vital role in supporting others through their cancer journey!

Colorectal Cancer Emotional Support

woman offering another woman colon cancer support with a hug

If you’re in the midst of a colorectal cancer diagnosis, you don’t have to face it alone. The colon cancer support community at CanCare consists of volunteer survivors that can provide you with emotional support. CanCare has different colon cancer support opportunities for people living with cancer, like our colon cancer support group and 1:1 support by a CanCare volunteer. It is CanCare’s mission to connect those facing colon cancer with a survivor who has faced the same kinds of challenges while providing a support system in the process.

If you are a caregiver, the loved one of someone who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you are on a cancer journey also and support is available for you. CanCare has volunteer caregivers who can provide 1:1 support or you can join other caregivers in our cancer caregivers support groups.

Caregiver Support

Hear From a Colon Cancer Survivor

Everyone’s colon cancer experience is unique to them, from their diagnosis and treatment to life as a colon cancer survivor. Some survivors of colon cancer want to put the whole experience behind them, while others want to share their experiences and get involved. At CanCare, we share colon cancer survivor stories and volunteer testimonials to spread hope and strength.