Colorectal cancer is the second most diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death in North Dakota for men and women combined. It is often thought of as a disease that only affects older people. But the face of colorectal cancer is changing. Over the past four decades colorectal cancer has been steadily increasing in young people, and by 2030, it is on track to become the number one cancer killer of people ages 20-49.
The North Dakota Cancer Coalition (NDCC) is raising awareness of this highly preventable disease by promoting Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 3, 2023, as well as a Turn ND Blue for CRC Photo Contest throughout all of March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The color blue represents colorectal cancer. Click here for an editable poster for Dress in Blue Day and here for Turn ND Blue for CRC Photo Contest instructions.
NDCC’s message is simple—colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage when treatment works best. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society encourage anyone 45 years old or older to talk to their healthcare provider about getting screened now. If individuals think they may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, they should speak with their healthcare provider about when to begin screening, which test is right for them, and how often to get tested.
NDCC invites North Dakotans from across our great state to join the mission to end colorectal cancer. By wearing blue, individuals can bring awareness to this disease and honor the more than 1.4 million colorectal cancer patients and survivors living in the United States today.