Colorectal Cancer Awareness

“I never would have found it early if I hadn’t been screened,” says colorectal cancer survivor Robert.

“I never would have found it early if I hadn’t been screened,” said Robert, a survivor of colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum).

Since Robert’s dad got colorectal cancer at age 45, when Robert went for his annual checkup, he asked his own doctor about getting screened. He got a screening test called a colonoscopy, a test that can show the whole colon and the best kind of test for Robert because of his family cancer history. The colonoscopy showed he had cancer.

“People tell me that they are scared to get screened, but I think it’s scarier if you have a tumor that the doctor can’t remove,” Robert said. “If I hadn’t been screened, I wouldn’t have been able to see my son go off to college, or enjoy this next chapter of my life with my wife and family.”

What You Can Do

• If you’re 50 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 50 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, ask your doctor if you should be screened.
• Be physically active.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol.
• Don’t smoke.

Fast Facts

• Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans get colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.
• Risk increases with age. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people aged 50 and older.
• Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. If you have symptoms, they may include—
  • Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement).
  • Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away.
  • Losing weight and you don’t know why.

  These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. If you have any of them, see your doctor.

• There are several screening test options. Talk with your doctor about which is right for you.

Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign

CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign offers resources for patients and health professionals, including print materials (fact sheets, brochures, and posters) and television and radio public service announcements.

Spread the Word! Our Screen for Life Resource Toolkit provides quick access to materials you can print and distribute or share on social media, your Web site, or blog.

Featured Resources

Our Screen for Life Basic Facts on Screening fact sheet [PDF-396KB] explains in simple terms how screening tests can save your life.

“One more late-stage diagnosis is one too many,” writes CDC’s Cindy Gelb in this blog post.

Do you know the facts about colorectal cancer? Take CDC’s Screen for Life quiz!

Our “No Excuses” poster [PDF-7.7MB] responds to four people who think they don’t need colorectal cancer screening.

The “Have You Been Tested for Colorectal Cancer?” podcast explains that you can choose from three screening tests.

Our Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives brochure [PDF-7.8MB] provides detailed screening information.

This Medscape video explains how doctors can increase colorectal cancer screening rates.

In this video, Terrence Howard shares how his mother’s death from colon cancer affected his family.

These continuing education courses provide guidance and tools for clinicians on the optimal ways to implement screening for colorectal cancer.