“Any patient stories shared here are composites drawn from my more than 20 years in medical practice. They are not about any single individual, but rather reflect patterns, themes, and experiences I have encountered across many patients over time. Details have been intentionally blended or altered to protect privacy while still illustrating real-world clinical lessons.”.
I was three years old when my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. I remember my mother telling me at some point that my Daddy had cancer, but I didn’t understand, because he was still alive, still working, still taking care of his family. How sick could he really be? he was nothing short of a walking miracle and my hero.
As I got older, I came to understand that he was nothing short of a walking miracle and my hero.
He found his own mass. He survived chemotherapy, however that looked in the late 1970s. He continued working on the railroad at night, became a barber in the late 1980s, and spent his days cutting hair and building community. He was deeply rooted in his faith, active in his church, and sang in the choir well into his late 70s. He never let his diagnosis slow him down, and growing up, I had no idea of the true fighter that he was.He lived to be 81 years old. And I am so grateful for that.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on prevention, early detection, and the life-saving power of screening.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. The good news? It is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when detected early.
Why This Matters Now
While rates have declined in older adults due to screening, colorectal cancer is increasing in adults under 50. Approximately 10.5% of new cases occur in people younger than 50, and incidence in adults ages 40–49 has risen significantly over the past two decades.
In response to these trends, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends:
● Routine screening starting at age 45 for average-risk adults
● Screening through age 75
● Individualized decisions between ages 76–85
Lowering the screening age to 45 is expected to reduce deaths and increase life-years gained.
Know the Red Flags
Although screening is designed for people without symptoms, it is critical not to ignore warning signs — especially in younger adults.
Common red-flag symptoms include:
● Rectal bleeding
● Persistent abdominal pain
● Change in bowel habits
● Iron-deficiency anemia
Rectal bleeding in particular is strongly associated with early-onset colorectal cancer and should never be dismissed as “just hemorrhoids” without appropriate evaluation.
Delays in diagnosis of 4–6 months are common in younger patients, often because symptoms are overlooked.
Screening Saves Lives
Colorectal cancer typically develops from precancerous polyps over several years. Screening can:
● Detect cancer at an early, highly treatable stage
● Identify and remove polyps before they turn into cancer
Recommended screening options include stool-based tests (FIT annually or stool DNA-FIT every 1–3years) or direct visualization tests such as colonoscopy every 10 years, depending on patient preference and risk profile.
The best screening test is the one that gets done.
Who May Need Earlier Screening?
Some patients should begin screening before age 45, including those with:
● A first-degree relative with colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
● Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
●Known hereditary cancer syndromes
Family history remains one of the most important risk factors to review during routine visits.
A Word on Health Equity
The colorectal cancer burden is not shared equally. Black Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. We are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, when treatment is more difficult and outcomes are less favorable.
This disparity is not a reflection of biology, it is a reflection of barriers: less access to timely screening, less access to physicians who know us, and a healthcare system that has not always shown up for our communities.
This is deeply personal for me. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer in the late 1970s, when screening was far less accessible and the tools we have today did not exist. He survived through sheer resilience and grace. Not everyone has been so fortunate.
Closing these gaps requires awareness, access, and advocacy. If you are Black, have a family history of colorectal cancer, or have been putting off a screening conversation — please don’t wait. You deserve a physician who will take your symptoms seriously, know your history, and fight for your health. That is the practice I am committed to building.
Lifestyle Still Matters
Screening is your most powerful tool, but daily habits matter too. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, limiting red and processed meats, avoiding tobacco, and moderating alcohol intake all contribute to reducing your risk. Prevention and early detection go hand in hand.
Turning Awareness into Action
Despite clear guidelines, nearly one-third of eligible adults remain unscreened. Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month is more than a reminder, it is an opportunity to:
● Schedule overdue screenings
● Discuss family history with your physician
● Evaluate concerning symptoms
● Encourage loved ones to get screened
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Starting at 45, screening should be routine not optional.
My father didn’t have any of this information in 1979. You do. Use it. 
This March, let’s move from awareness to action.
