Leading Cause of Cancer Death
Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the nation. The National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly 153,000 people in the U.S. received a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer in 2024, with approximately 53,000 dying from this disease.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This awareness is important because many cases of colon or rectal cancer are preventable. Colonoscopy screenings can prevent this cancer, since precancerous polyps found during the test can be removed at that time. A colonoscopy can also detect the cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to succeed.
Concerns
Cancer of the colon or rectum is more common among men than women; it is also more common among African Americans than other races. A report last year from the American Association for Cancer Research reported a rise in early-onset colorectal cancer, defined as a diagnosis before 50.
Though the colorectal death rate has been dropping in older adults for quite some time, the death rate for people under 55 has been increasing steadily by about 1% per year.
Fortunately, the National Cancer Institute says the five-year relative survival rate for cancer localized to the colon or rectum is nearly 91%.
Talk with Your Doctor
Prevention is key; go get checked. Talk with your primary care provider about scheduling a colonoscopy and other cancer screenings. If you need to find a doctor, call Edwards Cancer Institute at 304.399.6500.
If you have a loved one or friend who is suffering from colorectal cancer, consider organizing an event or fundraiser to help attack this dreaded disease. Donate to our Good Samaritan Cancer Fund, which helps patients who are struggling to pay for their medication, transportation to appointments, hotel stays for long visits, and other costs. You may also want to consider being a part of our annual fundraiser called <Path to the Cure>.
