March is colorectal cancer prevention month. Bad news: colorectal cancers are among the deadliest kind. Good news: you might be able to prevent it.

The colon and rectum are part of the digestive system that form a long tube called the large intestine or large bowel. The colon’s role is to utilize the nutrients and rid the body of leftover waste products called stool or bowel movement. Cancer occurs when normal cells grow out of control. Colon cancer can stay in the colon or spread to other parts of the body.  It likes to go to the liver.

Colon cancer, while a top cancer killer, is one cancer that you can prevent. Caught early, you’ll have a 90% chance of surviving five years. Here are some tips from the American Cancer Society:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day.
3. Quit smoking. Smoking has been tied to colon cancer, so quit now or, even better, don’t ever start.
4. Make red meat a treat, and avoid processed meats, too
5. Limit alcohol. Men: stick to two drinks a day; women, stick to one drink per day
6. Increase fiber intake. Try to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day along with whole grains.
7. Check stool for blood yearly after 50.
8. Colonoscopy every 10 years after 50 or sigmoidoscopy every five years.
9. Sleep at least eight hours at night.
10. Get screened. Screenings are the first step to ward off colon cancer.

Risk factors include:

• Age over 50
• Polyps (growths in colon or rectum)
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Genetic alterations
• Overweight
• Smoker
• Heavy alcohol use
• Diet high in processed and or red meats

If you have any of these risk factors, you should get screened.

The Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois is giving away free screening kits this month to individuals 50 or older. The free kits will be available from 2- 4 p.m., Friday, March 21, and from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 315 W. Carpenter in Springfield.  The screening kit does not substitute for a colonoscopy, which is the best method to detect colorectal cancer.

Where and when can I get my free screening kit?

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Main Lobby, 200 Stahlhut Dr., Lincoln, Tuesday, March 14, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Wednesday, March 15, 1-4 p.m.

Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter St., Springfield, Wednesday, March 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Thursday, March 23, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Koke Mill Medical Center, 3132 Old Jacksonville Road, Springfield, Tuesday, March 28, 9-11 a.m.

Diarrhea or constipation, feeling bowel doesn’t empty completely, finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool, finding your stool narrower than usual, having frequent gas pains, cramps, or bloating, losing weight for no reason, feeling tired all the time and having nausea or vomiting are all indications that you should see a doctor.

Get screened and prevent colon cancer!

Sources: American Cancer Society, Celeste Wiley, RN & Diana Weyhenmeyer, RN