Screenings Save Lives: The Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is a significant health concern in the United States, with thousands of new cases diagnosed each year. However, many of these cases can be prevented or detected early through regular screenings. In fact, screenings have been shown to save lives by catching colorectal cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 24 women will develop colorectal cancer at some point in their lives. These statistics highlight the importance of early detection through regular screenings. The current estimates for new cases of colorectal cancer in the US in 2023 are alarming, with over 100,000 new cases expected. However, regular screenings can help lower these numbers by detecting cancer early or even preventing it altogether.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and accredited programs are encouraged to promote awareness and the importance of screening during this time. The Commission on Cancer and the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer are providing resources to help healthcare providers educate their patients about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening.

It is essential for individuals to understand the importance of colorectal cancer screening and to schedule regular screenings as recommended by their healthcare provider. By getting screened, individuals can detect cancer early, when treatment is most effective, or even prevent cancer from developing in the first place.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 24 women will develop this cancer at some point in their lives. Current estimates for the number of colorectal cancers in the US for 2023 are 106,970 new cases of colon cancer and 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer. Additional statistics can be found in the American Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures report.

ACS Cancer Programs encourages accredited programs to promote colorectal cancer awareness and the importance of screening during the month of March, which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. To help you, the Commission on Cancer (CoC) and the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) are providing resources that you can download and use.  

Approved users at CoC and NAPRC accredited programs can access the resources by logging into QPort. Use the left navigation bar and click on the resources link. The marketing resources are located under the site visit resources section.

For assistance accessing these materials please send an e-mail to CoC@facs.org.