What You Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer Screening

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey want to keep everyone in the community healthy, so this month they are talking about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

Many people might not realize two important facts:

• Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
• Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented.

Both are excellent reasons to make sure you're getting regular screenings if you are age 45 or older (or earlier if you are at higher risk.) Screenings are done by colonoscopy or with a home stool test, and any polyps that are found can be removed before cancer develops. Early detection is important.

A doctor can help you determine your risk level and which screening is right for you, but click here to learn more about the factors that increase your risk for colorectal cancer. In honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, go ahead and schedule your colon cancer screening today.

As the experts say, the best screening is the one that gets done. To learn more, schedule a screening, or make an appointment with a health care provider, visit rwjbh.org/colonscreening.