March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March is National Colorectal Awareness Month and our team of experts wants you to know your risk for colorectal cancer, understand how to prevent this disease, learn about screening and diagnoses of  colorectal cancer and the latest and best treatment options.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and in Maryland alone, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.  If detected early, colorectal cancer can often be successfully treated or event prevented.

Risk factors:

• Age 50 or older
• Family history of colon cancer or polyps*
• Overweight*
• Inactive*
• Use tobacco or alcohol*
• African American or Eastern European descent*

*At even higher risk

About two thirds of colon cancer patients have localized colon cancer which is best treated surgically.  At Johns Hopkins, colon cancer patients benefit from having surgeons who specialize in treating colorectal cancers as well as team of multidisciplinary professionals reviewing and managing patient care including tumor analysis and disease staging.  Outcomes for stage I and II colon cancer are very good at a 95 percent cure rate.  

To find out more about your screening and treatment options at Johns Hopkins Medicine, call 800-861-5084.