March is Wear Blue Month for Colon Cancer Awareness

What is Colon Cancer?, March is Wear Blue Month for Colon Cancer Awareness

What is Colon Cancer?
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon or rectum. As the graphic below shows, the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly successful. In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has metastasized to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment can prolong and add to one’s quality of life.

Colon cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people 50 years or older. It is the third most common cancer in the United States, behind only lung and prostate cancers in men and lung and breast cancers in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death.

Colon cancer screening saves lives. Screening detects precancerous polyps and allows them to be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colon cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. So please, take control of your life and your health – if you’re turning 50 or are experiencing abnormal symptoms, GET SCREENED. And urge those you love to do the same.

In February 2000, President Clinton officially dedicated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Since then, it has grown to be a true rallying point for the colon cancer community. Every year, thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates throughout the country join together to spread colon cancer awareness by wearing blue, holding fundraising and education events, talking to friends and family about screening and so much more. See photos from years past and learn how you can get involved this March!

Vail Ranch Pharmacy gives thanks to the Colon Cancer Alliance for providing us with this valuable information.
For ore information please visit the Colon Cancer Alliance Website.
 

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