March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Screening, Symptoms & Risk Factors

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Alabama and the U.S., with cases rising among adults ages 20 to 49. The American Cancer Society estimates 154,270 Americans will be diagnosed, and 52,900 will die from the disease in 2025.

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention
“We want patients in our community to remember three numbers: 80, 60 and 45,” said Dr. Christopher Shaver, a gastroenterologist and partner at Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates. “Eighty represents the percentage reduction in the risk of death from colorectal cancer if you get a screening colonoscopy. Sixty percent is the current colonoscopy screening rate—we can do better than that. And 45 is the new recommended age to start getting screened. This is important because it suggests that this disease is now affecting a younger demographic.”

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, detecting 95% of cases. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist not only finds cancerous and precancerous polyps but removes them during the procedure, preventing cancer from developing. Since most colorectal cancers start as polyps, early detection is critical.

At-home stool and blood-based tests are gaining popularity but are far less reliable, detecting only 43.4% of precancerous polyps. Unlike colonoscopies, these tests don’t have the ability to remove polyps, limiting their ability to prevent cancer.

Warning Signs of Colorectal Cancer
Unfortunately, six out of 10 patients nationwide are diagnosed at a late stage, often due to delaying a screening colonoscopy or ignoring symptoms.

Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, which may cause stool to appear darker.
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea lasting longer than a few days.
• A sensation that the bowel does not empty completely during a bowel movement.
• Abdominal discomfort, cramping, or pain.
• Unexplained weakness and fatigue.
• Unintended or sudden weight loss.

Lifestyle and Risk Factors
Research has identified several risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing colon polyps or colorectal cancer.

Lifestyle factors include:

• Lack of regular physical activity.
• A diet low in fruits, vegetables and fiber.
• A diet high in processed foods, fat and salt.
• Anemia
• Overweight and obesity.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Smoking and use of tobacco products.
  Medical risk factors include:
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s
  disease or ulcerative colitis.
• A personal or family history of colon cancer,
  rectum cancer or colorectal polyps.
• Genetic syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or
  familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).