Cancer Center Urges Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer, Offers Free Online Risk Assessment

March is National Colorectal Cancer Month

  Are you at risk for colorectal cancer? March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, bringing attention to the type of cancer people are often too embarrassed to discuss. In recognition of this awareness month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is offering a free online assessment at www.marybird.org/colon to help determine if someone is at high risk for the disease and if they should contact their doctor about discussing screening options. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer (commonly called colon cancer) remains the third-deadliest cancer in the U.S. among men and women despite decreases in death rates over the past two decades. It is expected to cause almost 50,000 deaths in the U.S. during 2015. The primary risk factor for colorectal cancer is age. More than 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in individuals older than 50. Fifty is the recommended age to begin colorectal cancer screening unless there is a family history, in which case screening should start earlier. For information on the Cancer Center’s free colorectal cancer screenings, call (225) 215-1234 or (888) 616-4687.