Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2021

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that in 2020 colorectal cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer type in the world, with almost 2 million new cases. It was the third most common cancer in men but the second most common cancer in women, after breast cancer. Colorectal cancer was also the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide, causing almost 1 million deaths.

You can reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer by adopting healthier lifestyle habits. Recognized risk factors for colorectal cancer include obesity, low levels of physical activity, a poor diet, and tobacco smoking. Alcohol consumption is also a known risk factor for colorectal cancer.

However, even people without any exposure or with very low exposure to known risk factors can still develop this disease. This is why people who are invited to attend colorectal cancer screening should accept. Colorectal cancer screening is available in many countries and aims to reduce the risk of death through early detection of colorectal cancer or of precursor lesions of colorectal cancer.

Watch video with Dr Béatrice Lauby-Secretan

Watch video with Dr Elom Aglago

View IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention Volume 17: Colorectal Cancer Screening