National Health Observances Toolkit
National Health Observance Toolkit - March
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Sponsor: Prevent Cancer Foundation 
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a time to encourage everyone over the age of 50 to get screened regularly for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the rectum or colon. It’s the second leading cause of cancer-related death for both men and women.
People over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for colorectal cancer. Other risk factors include:
- Growths (called polyps) inside the colon
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Smoking
- Health conditions like Crohn’s Disease
- Being African-American
Here’s the good news: you can reduce your risk if you get screened for colorectal cancer starting at the age of 50. You can also reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by:
- Getting active
- Eating healthy
- Quitting smoking
Sample Announcement | Sample Tweets | E-cards | Web Badges | Get Involved | Related Tools on healthfinder.gov | Resources
Get the Word Out
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Starting at age 50, get tested regularly for colorectal cancer. Learn more:
http://1.usa.gov/mSvbsm.
Q. What are screenings? A. Screenings are medical tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. More:
http://1.usa.gov/mGOVs2.
10 questions to ask your doctor about health screenings:
http://1.usa.gov/jm7tM5.
Planning a grocery store trip this weekend? Prevent colorectal cancer by choosing foods low in fat and full of calcium and fiber.
Looking for good, healthy recipes? @CDC_eHealth has a recipe creator specifically for fruits and veggies:
http://1.usa.gov/iFtKbw.
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Get Involved
Take action to prevent colorectal cancer.
- Contact local doctors’ offices and ask them to share colorectal cancer prevention information with their patients.
- Host a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month event at a local senior center. Give out information about colorectal screenings, spread the word about how staying active can help prevent colorectal cancer, and ask a doctor or nurse to talk about the importance of getting screened.
- Hold a cooking demonstration with low-fat foods full of calcium and fiber.
- Host an information night at your local library to talk about ways to get more people in your community screened for colorectal cancer.
- Provide free information and resources to local African American community organizations and events, such as churches, neighborhood block parties, associations, etc.
Adapted from the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Contact the Prevent Cancer Foundation at info@preventcancer.org for more information and materials.
Related Tools on healthfinder.gov
Personal Health Tools
- Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
- Colorectal Cancer Risk-Understanding the Puzzle
- Assess Your Physical Activity
More Information (Health A-Z)
Quick Guide to Healthy Living
Resources
- Prevent Cancer Foundation
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Sponsor - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: Basic Information
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives Brochure (PDF – 2.27MB)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Personal Screening Stories
- Asian Pacific Islander Community Health Forum, Bilingual Brochure Tackles Colorectal Cancer (PDF – 1.1MB)
- Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, Colorectal Cancer, Catch it Early, Get Screened!
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ®)
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