{"id":18059,"date":"2018-03-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cadca1stg.wpengine.com\/2018\/03\/26\/march-national-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month\/"},"modified":"2024-04-24T19:22:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T19:22:59","slug":"march-national-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cadca.org\/pt\/public-health\/march-national-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"March \u2014 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

Through our Alian\u00e7a Geogr\u00e1fica de Equidade em Sa\u00fade (GHEA)<\/a>, CADCA<\/a> observes National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month \u2014 a health observance dedicated by President Clinton in 2000 \u2014 to raise awareness about the disease among our partners, coalitions, and the communities they serve.\u00a0 GHEA promotes colorectal cancer preventive measures such as informing our members of age-centric screening recommendations<\/a>.\u00a0 Adults should be screened via colonoscopy starting at age 50 years \u2013 40 years for African Americans \u2013 and continue screenings until age 75 at a frequency deemed appropriate by their doctor. A form of cancer originating as polyps<\/a> in the large intestine turned cancerous<\/a>, colorectal cancer is also known as colon cancer and rectum cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors<\/strong><\/p>\n

As with other forms of cancer<\/a>, many lifestyle factors have been associated with developing colorectal cancer.\u00a0 Some of the strongest determinants of colorectal cancer include diet, weight, exercise, and smoking.<\/p>\n

Diet:<\/u><\/strong> According to the American Cancer Society, a diet comprising high amount of red meat (e.g. beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meat (e.g. hot dogs and some luncheon meats) raises your risk of developing colorectal cancer.\u00a0 Cooking meats at very high temperatures (e.g. frying, broiling, or grilling) creates chemicals that might increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer as well.\u00a0 The extent to which cooking meats increases your cancer risk is unclear \u2013 ask your doctor for more details.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overweight or Obese:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0 The risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer significantly increases if you are overweight or obese.\u00a0 Physicians, public health professionals, and dietitians among others, use body mass index (BMI) to calculate a weight considered healthy given one\u2019s height.\u00a0 The oft quoted metric provides an estimate for the average person; it is not the be-all-end-all. Consult your physician, nurse or another trained and trusted healthcare provider for a clearer picture of your optimal weight.<\/p>\n

Physical Inactivity<\/u>:<\/strong>\u00a0 Leading a sedentary<\/a> life may increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer.\u00a0 Regular physical activity improves your overall health and fitness \u2013 regardless of your age.\u00a0 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines physical activity<\/a> as anything that gets your body moving.\u00a0 For adults aged 18 to 64, increasing or maintaining an acceptable level of exercise can be achieved by engaging in two types of physical activity every week: (1) two hours and thirty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as briskly walking around your neighborhood or a shopping mall.\u00a0 This equates to about 21 minutes a day, seven days a week; (2) Working all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, arms, chest) two or more days a week, activities best defined by your doctor or nurse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Research shows dog owners on average walk 22 minutes more daily than people who do not have a pooch.\u00a0 According to Animal Planet<\/a>, having an active dog not only increases one\u2019s level of physical activity, but man\u2019s best friend also livens his or her owner\u2019s social life.\u00a0 National Public Radio (NPR) featured a story<\/a> discussing the benefits of dog ownership, particularly the increased likelihood of achieving adequate levels of physical activity.<\/p>\n

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Smoking<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 About half of Americans who continue to smoke will die because of this deadly habit.\u00a0 Annually, over 480,000 people in the United States succumb to illnesses related to smoking traditional (combustible) cigarettes.\u00a0 Not only does smoking traditional cigarettes cause lung cancer \u2014smoking being a prime factor in 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths \u2014 it also increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Consider one of CADCA\u2019s partners\u2019 experience with colorectal cancer. Mark, a CDC Tips from Former Smokers\u00ae<\/em><\/a> campaign participant who smoked and got colorectal cancer, collaborated with CADCA and West Virginia-based Community Connections<\/a> to share his story<\/a> in a culturally competent and localized manner on a barn.\u00a0 Watch a video highlighting our partnership efforts aqui<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To learn more about additional risk factors for developing colorectal cancer, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

The onset of colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms right away.\u00a0However, if you experience one of the following symptoms please contact your healthcare provider immediately.<\/p>\n