March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium and the Blue Hat Foundation are teaming up to increase awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening. If you or your loved one are age 45 or older, now is the time to act if you have not been screened.

Please join us by taking three steps that could make all the difference for you or your loved one. Screening saves lives!

 

STEP 1:

Take the pledge

(and pick your team)

Fill out this form, and choose your favorite Big Ten team to get credit for your pledge. At the end of the month, we’ll give a special shout-out to the team with the most pledges!

SCREENING MADNESS PLEDGE: I pledge to get screened for colorectal cancer, or to encourage someone else age 45 or older to get screened. In the spirit of friendly competition, I want my pledge to count toward the Big Ten CRC member institution I choose on this form.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 

STEP 2:

Make the Call

 
Contact a member cancer center today to schedule a screening appointment. Click the links below for more information and screening locations.

STEP 3:

#ShowYourBlue

 

Click this link to post on Twitter. Be sure to add a photo of you wearing blue!

Click here to share this page on Facebook and invite your friends to take the pledge!

 
 

Colorectal Cancer: 15 Facts You Should Know

(Information adapted from the American Cancer Society)

  • FACT 1: What is colon cancer? 
    • Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or CRC for short, is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine that is part of your digestive system.
  • FACT 2: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
    • Screening starts at age 45 or older. Talk to your doctor about Screening options.
  • FACT 3: Colorectal cancer is preventable, beatable, and treatable with early detection.
  • FACT 4: Screening saves lives! Colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
  • FACT 5: Colorectal cancer screening options include:
    • Colonoscopy 
    • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
    • Home stool-based test (FIT, FOBT, DNA)
    • Virtual colonography
  • FACT 6: The American Cancer Society estimates the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States are:
    • 106,180 new cases of colon cancer 
    • 44,850 new cases of rectal cancer
    • 52,580 deaths
  • FACT 7: African American Men are 24% more likely to get CRC compared to white men and 47% more likely than white men to die from CRC.
  • FACT 8: African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.
  • FACT 9: Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
    • No symptoms at all (this is most common)
    • Blood in stool
    • Fatigue
    • Anemia
    • Feeling bloated
    • A change in bowel movements
    • Abdominal cramping or pain
    • Unintentional weight loss
  • FACT 10: 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer at some point in their lives.
  • FACT 10: Colorectal cancer stats for African American Men/Women:
    • African American men are 24% more likely to get CRC compared to white men and 47% more likely to die from CRC.
    • African American women are 19% more likely to get CRC compared to white women and 34% more likely to die from CRC.
  • FACT 11: Colon Cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men and women (combined) in the United States.
  • FACT 12: Early-onset colorectal cancer patients are considered young-onset if they are diagnosed before they turn 45 years old.
  • FACT 13: By 2039, researchers predict that colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of cancer death in people ages 20-49.
  • FACT 14: In younger patients, about 5%overall are attributed to family history or genetics.
  • FACT 15: Younger adults are usually diagnosed at later stages.
  • FACT 16: Younger adults have challenges receiving an accurate diagnosis. Discuss anything that seems abnormal or unresolved symptoms with your physician.
  • FACT 17: Early-onset cases are often left-side colon tumors and rectal cancers verses right-sided tumors and present with rectal bleeding and abdominal pain.
  • FACT 18: Why is early-onset colorectal cancer happening? Research shows consuming sugary beverages with high fructose corn syrup, eating processed foods, and poor diet quality.
  • FACT 19: Cancer screening during Covid is still safe.
  • FACT 20: Fear the disease, not the prep.
  • FACT 21: Share family history of diseases with family members.

 
For more information and resources about colorectal cancer, visit the Blue Hat Foundation.