It may not be the most comfortable thing to talk about, but colorectal cancer is a national health concern that requires your attention.  If you've been putting off your screening, it's time to take a hard look at the facts: Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.1 While screening rates continue to rise in the U.S., 22 million people are still not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.1 Colorectal cancer incidence rates have been declining in the US since the mid-1980s. The acceleration in the decline in the past decade has largely been attributed to the detection and removal of precancerous polyps as a result of colorectal cancer screening.2 People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or offspring) who has had colorectal cancer have 2 to 3 times the risk of developing the disease compared to individuals with no family history; if the relative was diagnosed at a young age or if there is more than one affected relative, risk increases to 3 to 6 times that of the general population.2 In November 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer reported that there is now sufficient evidence to conclude that tobacco smoking causes colorectal cancer.2 Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.2
Talk to your physician about your risk for colorectal cancer.  Ready to schedule a colonoscopy?  Click here to find a Gastroenterologist or call the Grand View Information Line at 215-453-4300.

Sources
1. Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 2. American Cancer Society (ACS)