National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Join us every March for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. All month long, you can help us spotlight colorectal cancer and inspire more people to get checked starting at age 45.

A man and a woman smile, as the man is a colorectal cancer survivor.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Yet it's one of the few cancers that's preventable thanks to screening. Here are two reasons why getting checked matters:

  • Screening can find the warning signs of colon and rectal cancer, letting doctors take action to prevent the disease.
  • Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

Build awareness of colorectal cancer

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, but you can make a difference today.

A woman on a computer looks at the Alliance's screening quiz.

Share awareness on social media

Your voice is powerful! Tell your community about colorectal cancer prevention with these copy-and-paste social media posts.

A collage showing the various types of e-cards available for people to send through www.yourcolonis45.org

Send awareness-raising e-cards

This March, the Alliance and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to share YourColonIs45.org — a campaign to close the 80% screening gap among people ages 45 - 49. Send e-cards to people eligible for screening today!

About National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

If colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening and highly treatable when caught early, then why is colorectal cancer the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.?

It’s a great question with a complicated answer. A lack of knowledge about prevention and limited access to screening has a lot to do with it, and a third of people who could get checked don’t. A missed or delayed screening gives colorectal cancer a chance to grow and become more dangerous long before symptoms appear.

The Alliance is working daily to advocate for prevention, magnify patient support, and accelerate research, most recently with a multi-million dollar investment in research through Project Cure CRC. Join us and get involved this March! 

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month began in 2000

To raise the profile of this disease and encourage screening, President Clinton designated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in February 2000. Since then, it has grown to be a rallying point for the colorectal cancer community where thousands of patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates join together to spread colorectal cancer awareness.

Getting checked can’t wait. This March, join the Alliance in saving lives through prevention awareness.

Get support for colorectal cancer

Are you or someone you know concerned about colon or rectal cancer? Get more information and access support below.

Start an awareness month fundraiser

Help colorectal cancer patients, survivors, family members, and caregivers get the support they need with a Facebook fundraiser! 

Top resources