Did you know? March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most diagnosed form of cancer in Canada.
However, it is one of the most treatable and curable if caught early enough. 

What is Colorectal Cancer? 

Cancer that starts in either the colon or rectum, both in which are a part of the large intestine within your digestive tract.
Risk Factors include: 

• Family History 
• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis 
• Inherited syndromes
• Benign Polyps

Signs and Symptoms can include: 

• change in bowel habits such as consistent diarrhea or constipation. 
• Blood in stool or rectal bleeding 
• unexplained weight loss or gain 
• Fatigue or constant anemia 

MYTH: for the most part Colorectal cancer affects men over the age of 50 years.
IN FACT: colorectal cancer affects men and women almost equally!! and more diagnoses have been made on younger/ middle aged adults! 

With that being said – Screening is KEY to prevention of developing advanced stage colorectal cancer.
Speak with your health care provider, if you have risk factors or are aged 50-74 years, about routine screening and early prevention of Colorectal Cancer!
Source: colorectalcancercanada.com