CMedEd > News > 2026-03-01 March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public understanding of colorectal cancer and promoting the importance of screening, early detection, and prevention.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, surpassed only by lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 152,810 people were diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer in 2024. Despite its significant impact, screening can reduce both the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer by enabling early detection and the removal of precancerous lesions.

Importantly, among individuals younger than 50, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and the second leading cause in women within the same age group.

Although there is no sure way to completely prevent colorectal cancer, individuals can help reduce their risk by modifying controllable lifestyle and health-related factors.

Below are some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is any characteristic, behavior, or condition that raises the possibility of developing a disease. Here are some known risk factors for developing colorectal cancer:

AgeAge
Age

Age increases the risk for developing colorectal cancer. Approximately 90% of people who get colorectal cancer are over the age of 50. Early onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed before the age of 45 years) is increasing in the United States, with a larger proportion of new diagnoses of colorectal cancer occurring every year in this setting.

Family History
Family History

Close relatives of a person who has had colorectal cancer are more likely to develop the disease.


Colorectal Polyps

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Colorectal Polyps

People with polyps in their colon are more likely to get colorectal cancer.

GeneticsGenetics
Genetics

About 5% to 10% of all cases of colorectal cancer are caused by inherited genetic mutations such as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

  • Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC): HNPCC is the most common form of inherited colon cancer and accounts for about 3% to 5% of all colorectal cancers. This disease is caused by mutations in the HNPCC (MSI) gene. People with these mutations have about an 80% chance of developing colorectal cancer in their lifetimes and women with HNPCC are at a higher risk for developing uterine cancer.
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): FAP is a rare condition that can cause thousands of polyps to form in the colon or rectum. It is caused by a mutation in the APC gene. FAP usually leads to colorectal cancer by age 40. If left untreated, it may even turn into cancer as early as age 20.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause pain and swelling in the colon and increase risk for colorectal cancer.

EthnicityEthnicity
Ethnicity

African Americans and Jews of Eastern European descent are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer.

  • Jews of Eastern European descent may have an inherited genetic mutation called APC I1307K, which increases the risk.
  • African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates of any ethnic group. However, these cases are not linked to any specific genetic changes, and the reasons for this increased risk are unclear.

Click here to learn more about Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

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