March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is when cells in your body form in the tissues of the colon or the rectum. It is also known as rectal cancer because this cancer either starts in the colon or rectum area. 

The colon and rectum are both parts of the body’s digestive system which takes in food into your body and turns that food into nutrients. The digestive system helps move the waste out of the body, from the help of the colon to the rectum.

Colorectal cancer starts to grow on the inside of the colon or rectum. The growth produces polyps. Over time those polyps can turn into cancer cells. 

There are many types of tumors when having colorectal cancer. The most common type is adenocarcinoma. There are less common types, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, carcinoid tumors, lymphomas, and sarcomas. 

Colorectal cancer is usually high risk at the age of 50. However it is important to be aware of this type of cancer as it is the third rated leading cause for death for men and fourth leading cause for death in females.

It’s important that older individuals in your family take a screening for their health benefits. It is also important to spread awareness of this type of cancer to help individuals to be aware of the conditions people are facing.