In 1999, the Prevent Cancer Foundation led the charge to designate March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

This year, more than 145,600 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 51,000 will die of the disease. 

If you are age 50 to 75, get tested regularly for colorectal cancer. A special test (called a screening test) can help prevent colorectal cancer or find it early, when it may be easier to treat. You may need to get tested before age 50 if colorectal cancer runs in your family. Talk with your doctor and ask about your risk for colorectal cancer.

What Do I Ask the Doctor?

Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions written down ahead of time. You may also want to ask a family member or close friend to go with you to take notes. Print out these questions and take them to your appointment.

• What is my risk for colorectal cancer?
• When do you recommend that I start getting tested?
• What are the different types of screening tests for colorectal cancer?
• Which screening test do you recommend for me? Why?
• How often do I need to get tested?
• What happens during the test? How do I prepare?
• Does the test have any risks or side effects?
• How long will it take to get the results?
• What can I do to reduce my risk of colorectal cancer?