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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Young people with colon cancer are often misdiagnosed. 2 women share the symptoms their doctors missed.
Rates of colon cancer in people under 50 have grown in recent decades. One study found that 82% of young colon cancer patients were misdiagnosed initially. Two women who had colon cancer in their 30s were told they had hemorrhoids or a parasite. Brooks Bell and Sarah Beran connected online in July 2023 over something unfortunate they had in common: they were both treated for colon cancer in their 30s after doctors misdiagnosed them. Now, they're working together to prevent others from having the same experience. Before Beran was told in 2020 at age 34 that she had colon cancer, she chalked her fatigue up to being a working mom with two young kids. And she presumed the blood that had started appearing in her stools was caused by hemorrhoids. "It was just a crazy time with the kids. They were so young. I was so tired all the time anyway, and I was just so busy," Beran, a stylist in LA, told Business Insider. The most common colon cancer symptoms in people under 50 are abdominal pain, changes to bowel movements such as going more or less frequently, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open. But other symptoms include blood in feces, unexplained weight loss, anemia, and vomiting for no obvious reason. Many of these symptoms overlap with common digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, which means doctors tread a tightrope when it comes to diagnosing younger, generally healthy patients. In a 2017 survey of 1,535 colon cancer survivors under 50 conducted by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, 82% said they were initially misdiagnosed. A 2020 survey by the charity Bowel Cancer UK of 1,073 colorectal cancer patients diagnosed under 50, and 222 people who responded on a patient's behalf, found 42% were told by doctors they were too young to develop the condition. Half of the participants didn't know they could get the disease at their age, and two thirds were initially diagnosed with conditions such as IBS, hemorrhoids, or anaemia. It's a challenge to make sure a symptom is attributed to the correct condition without scaring people while also not overlooking the early signs of colorectal cancer, Joshua Demb, an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego, who studies early-onset colon cancer, previously told BI. A year into having IBS-like symptoms and needing to use the bathroom a lot more than usual, Beran's doctors sent her to a gastroenterologist who said she might have a parasite, but said it was likely nothing to worry about given her age, active lifestyle, and healthy diet. An at-home stool test for colon cancer detected no abnormalities. What are known as fecal immunochemical tests, or FIT, are about 80% accurate, according to the University of Colorado Cancer Center. When the bleeding got worse, Beran pushed for a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. She said that doctors found a mass on her rectum and "over 100" polyps — small growths that are often harmless but can turn into cancer — on her colon. "It was quite shocking to hear the word 'cancer,'" she said. "Because I was so healthy, it just wasn't something that I thought would happen to me." Growing up, Beran played sports and, before her diagnosis, she exercised almost every day. She ate plenty of fruits and vegetables, too. Over two years, Beran was treated with 12 rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the cancerous tissues. She was given a temporary ileostomy connecting her small intestine to her abdomen to collect feces while her colon healed. In early 2022, doctors told her the cancer had spread to her lungs, which was treated with more surgery, as well as radiation therapy. She has been "cancer-free" for almost three years, she said. "I feel so silly looking back on it, but who's not tired, you know what I mean?" Beran said. While Beran was struggling with her symptoms in LA in 2019, Bell was seeking her own answers 2,500 miles away in North Carolina, after finding blood in her stool at age 38. The former CEO's doctor told her over the phone that she likely had hemorrhoids. When the bleeding didn't stop after a few weeks, Bell's doctor examined her in person and couldn't find hemorrhoids, but said they were probably higher up in her rectum. Sensing something wasn't right, Bell called a GI doctor without a referral, meaning it wasn't covered by her insurance. A colonoscopy revealed that she had stage 3 colon cancer, and was followed by three months of chemotherapy and surgery to remove 10 inches of her colon. In 2024, Bell hit the five-year cancer-free mark, where the likelihood that a cancer patient will have a recurrence drops. The cancer hasn't returned, but the worry never went away. "The treatment sucks, but the anxiety is so intense and is so persistent," she said, "you can't get away from it. It is barely tolerable." Bell is glad she trusted her instinct, despite being told several times the blood in her stool was nothing to worry about. "There were clues all along. You just needed to have someone who is willing to actually ask about your stool and really think about it, not shy away," she said. Overall, thanks to screening and lifestyle changes, fewer people are developing colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It estimates that in 2025, 107,320 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed. But Bell and Beran are among a growing number of younger people to develop the disease. One in five colon cancer cases in 2019 were in people under 54, up from one in 10 in 1995, according to ACS data published in 2023. The cause is unclear, but scientists have pointed to changes in the gut microbiome, antibiotic use, and environmental exposures as possible explanations. Beran reached out to Bell online after she saw her Lead From Behind campaign, which featured Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney getting colonoscopies on camera. In July 2023, they met on Zoom and decided to combine their respective skill sets to create Worldclass, a clothing line intended to reframe colonoscopies as cool. They sell tote bags with the irreverent slogan "colonoscopy enthusiast" printed on, and streetwear-style tracksuits stitched with the the word "ass." In the US, people are advised to get their first colon cancer screening at 45, partly because age is a risk factor for developing polyps. However, if someone younger has more than one symptom of colon cancer, they should consider getting a colonoscopy, Dr. James Cleary, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, previously told BI. During a colonoscopy, patients are either sedated or under general anesthetic while a thin tube with a camera on the end is put in the rectum and colon to check for polyps. They must fast and take a laxative in the days before the procedure. If polyps are found, they can often be removed then and there, meaning the procedure can help prevent colon cancer. "They're actually more like a fast, cleanse, then a nap. It's actually almost like a spa appointment," Bell said of a colonoscopy. "We could be reframing it in positive ways, where it's just a self-care wellness kind of experience." She added: "People do not know that it's this empowering, hopeful thing that can actually protect you from this major threat." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
a day ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Young people with colon cancer are often misdiagnosed. 2 women share the symptoms their doctors missed.
Brooks Bell and Sarah Beran connected online in July 2023 over something unfortunate they had in common: they were both treated for colon cancer in their 30s after doctors misdiagnosed them. Now, they're working together to prevent others from having the same experience. Before Beran was told in 2020 at age 34 that she had colon cancer, she chalked her fatigue up to being a working mom with two young kids. And she presumed the blood that had started appearing in her stools was caused by hemorrhoids. "It was just a crazy time with the kids. They were so young. I was so tired all the time anyway, and I was just so busy," Beran, a stylist in LA, told Business Insider. The most common colon cancer symptoms in people under 50 are abdominal pain, changes to bowel movements such as going more or less frequently, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open. But other symptoms include blood in feces, unexplained weight loss, anemia, and vomiting for no obvious reason. Many of these symptoms overlap with common digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, which means doctors tread a tightrope when it comes to diagnosing younger, generally healthy patients. In a 2017 survey of 1,535 colon cancer survivors under 50 conducted by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, 82% said they were initially misdiagnosed. A 2020 survey by the charity Bowel Cancer UK of 1,073 colorectal cancer patients diagnosed under 50, and 222 people who responded on a patient's behalf, found 42% were told by doctors they were too young to develop the condition. Half of the participants didn't know they could get the disease at their age, and two thirds were initially diagnosed with conditions such as IBS, hemorrhoids, or anaemia. It's a challenge to make sure a symptom is attributed to the correct condition without scaring people while also not overlooking the early signs of colorectal cancer, Joshua Demb, an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego, who studies early-onset colon cancer, previously told BI. A year into having IBS-like symptoms and needing to use the bathroom a lot more than usual, Beran's doctors sent her to a gastroenterologist who said she might have a parasite, but said it was likely nothing to worry about given her age, active lifestyle, and healthy diet. An at-home stool test for colon cancer detected no abnormalities. What are known as fecal immunochemical tests, or FIT, are about 80% accurate, according to the University of Colorado Cancer Center. When the bleeding got worse, Beran pushed for a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. She said that doctors found a mass on her rectum and "over 100" polyps — small growths that are often harmless but can turn into cancer — on her colon. "It was quite shocking to hear the word 'cancer,'" she said. "Because I was so healthy, it just wasn't something that I thought would happen to me." Growing up, Beran played sports and, before her diagnosis, she exercised almost every day. She ate plenty of fruits and vegetables, too. Over two years, Beran was treated with 12 rounds of chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the cancerous tissues. She was given a temporary ileostomy connecting her small intestine to her abdomen to collect feces while her colon healed. In early 2022, doctors told her the cancer had spread to her lungs, which was treated with more surgery, as well as radiation therapy. She has been "cancer-free" for almost three years, she said. "I feel so silly looking back on it, but who's not tired, you know what I mean?" Beran said. Bell's doctor said the blood in her poop was likely caused by hemorrhoids While Beran was struggling with her symptoms in LA in 2019, Bell was seeking her own answers 2,500 miles away in North Carolina, after finding blood in her stool at age 38. The former CEO's doctor told her over the phone that she likely had hemorrhoids. When the bleeding didn't stop after a few weeks, Bell's doctor examined her in person and couldn't find hemorrhoids, but said they were probably higher up in her rectum. Sensing something wasn't right, Bell called a GI doctor without a referral, meaning it wasn't covered by her insurance. A colonoscopy revealed that she had stage 3 colon cancer, and was followed by three months of chemotherapy and surgery to remove 10 inches of her colon. In 2024, Bell hit the five-year cancer-free mark, where the likelihood that a cancer patient will have a recurrence drops. The cancer hasn't returned, but the worry never went away. "The treatment sucks, but the anxiety is so intense and is so persistent," she said, "you can't get away from it. It is barely tolerable." Bell is glad she trusted her instinct, despite being told several times the blood in her stool was nothing to worry about. "There were clues all along. You just needed to have someone who is willing to actually ask about your stool and really think about it, not shy away," she said. More younger people are getting colon cancer Overall, thanks to screening and lifestyle changes, fewer people are developing colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It estimates that in 2025, 107,320 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed. But Bell and Beran are among a growing number of younger people to develop the disease. One in five colon cancer cases in 2019 were in people under 54, up from one in 10 in 1995, according to ACS data published in 2023. The cause is unclear, but scientists have pointed to changes in the gut microbiome, antibiotic use, and environmental exposures as possible explanations. Giving colonoscopies a trendy rebrand Beran reached out to Bell online after she saw her Lead From Behind campaign, which featured Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney getting colonoscopies on camera. In July 2023, they met on Zoom and decided to combine their respective skill sets to create Worldclass, a clothing line intended to reframe colonoscopies as cool. They sell tote bags with the irreverent slogan "colonoscopy enthusiast" printed on, and streetwear-style tracksuits stitched with the the word "ass." In the US, people are advised to get their first colon cancer screening at 45, partly because age is a risk factor for developing polyps. However, if someone younger has more than one symptom of colon cancer, they should consider getting a colonoscopy, Dr. James Cleary, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, previously told BI. During a colonoscopy, patients are either sedated or under general anesthetic while a thin tube with a camera on the end is put in the rectum and colon to check for polyps. They must fast and take a laxative in the days before the procedure. If polyps are found, they can often be removed then and there, meaning the procedure can help prevent colon cancer. "They're actually more like a fast, cleanse, then a nap. It's actually almost like a spa appointment," Bell said of a colonoscopy. "We could be reframing it in positive ways, where it's just a self-care wellness kind of experience." She added: "People do not know that it's this empowering, hopeful thing that can actually protect you from this major threat."
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gut toxins and 50,000 deaths: The truth behind the rise in colon cancer and the signs to look for
Colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger Americans - the reason behind the jump has become hard for scientists to identify, but the symptoms to watch out are known. Colorectal cancer, which encompasses colon and rectal cancer, is the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Last year saw a slight increase in deaths, with just over 53,000 reported. There were also nearly 153,000 new cases of colorectal cancer, the majority of which were in men. While survival rates have improved among older Americans, the incidence rate for people under the age of 55 continues to rise by between 1 and 2 percent, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The trend has been reported since the mid-1990s. The mortality rate has also increased by about 1 percentage point each year since the mid-2000s. If current trends continue, colorectal cancer is slated to become the leading cause of cancer-related death among young adults in the next five years. Now, a new study has identified a potential link between a toxin in the gut and the sharp rise of disease in younger people. Colibactin, which is produced by harmful species of gut bacteria, can inflict DNA damage on colon cells that can lead to the development of cancer. Researchers say that damage is prominent in people who developed colorectal cancer at a younger age. Previous research had identified the DNA mutations in approximately 10 to 15 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. 'These mutation patterns are a kind of historical record in the genome, and they point to early-life exposure to colibactin as a driving force behind early-onset disease,' UC San Diego professor Ludmil Alexandrov explained in a statement. E. coli — yes, the foodborne illness E. coli — is a vital part of a healthy gut microbiome. However, some strains can produce the toxin called colibactin, which is capable of altering a person's DNA. The toxin has been previously been linked to some cases of colorectal cancers, and 20 percent of people are thought to contain strains that can produce it. But, colibactin-producing microbes are not the only bacteria linked to colorectal cancers. Another gut microbe called F. nucleatum has been implicated in the development of the disease. It may contribute to disease development by enabling the tumor to proliferate and evade the immune system, Alexandrov told NBC News. Colibactin's damaging effects begin early on. Alexandrov and the study's authors found such mutations occur within the first 10 years of life. Furthermore, the study revealed that DNA mutations account for approximately 15 percent of mutations found in the tumor-suppressing APC gene in colorectal cancer, which are some of the earliest genetic changes that can directly promote cancer development. 'If someone acquires one of these driver mutations by the time they're 10 years old,' Alexandrov said, 'they could be decades ahead of schedule for developing colorectal cancer, getting it at age 40 instead of 60.' Although some people could have colon cancer and not know it, others may experience blood in their stool, diarrhea, fatigue, rectal bleeding, constipation, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. Colorectal polyps that grow in the colon or rectum can turn into cancer if not removed. If you are experiencing a symptom, it does not mean you have colorectal cancer. But, you should see a doctor. 'If anyone has any change in their bowel habits, if they have any bleeding — even if they think it's a hemorrhoid, and it doesn't go away — just get a colonoscopy,' Yale Medicine colorectal. surgeon Dr. Vikram Reddy advised. Young people are often diagnosed with more advanced cancers due to delays in detection. 'If you're 39 and you're having these symptoms, you're not thinking, 'I have colon cancer,'' Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy, chief of colorectal surgery at UC San Diego said. 'You're thinking, 'I ate something. I'm working too hard.' If you're tired and you're stressed out, you're thinking, 'It'll go away.' People are presenting later because they're just not attributing their symptoms to something that could be serious.' But, doctors have also singled out other contributing factors, including excess body weight, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, a high intake of red or processed meat, and other environmental factors. A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, are also risk factors, according to Yale Medicine. People may reduce their risk of colorectal cancer by limiting their alcohol consumption, keeping a healthy diet and increasing their physical activity. Screenings also play an important role in finding any precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Federal health officials say people should get screened starting at age 45, although there are questions about whether it should be lowered to 40. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer may need to get checked even earlier. Although, screening comes with its own risks as some medical machines have been linked to higher cancer rates. There are some disparities to be aware of - Black Americans are 15 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer and 35 percent more likely to die from it than white Americans. But, there's still a lot to learn. 'We don't understand a lot about the causes, the biology, or how to prevent early onset of the disease,' Phil Daschner, a program director in NCI's Division of Cancer Biology said. 'And that's important to learn more about because it may affect [approaches for] the treatment and survivorship of early-onset colon cancer.'
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Gut toxins and 50,000 deaths: The truth behind the rise in colon cancer and the signs to look for
Colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger Americans - the reason behind the jump has become hard for scientists to identify, but the symptoms to watch out are known. Colorectal cancer, which encompasses colon and rectal cancer, is the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Last year saw a slight increase in deaths, with just over 53,000 reported. There were also nearly 153,000 new cases of colorectal cancer, the majority of which were in men. While survival rates have improved among older Americans, the incidence rate for people under the age of 55 continues to rise by between 1 and 2 percent, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The trend has been reported since the mid-1990s. The mortality rate has also increased by about 1 percentage point each year since the mid-2000s. If current trends continue, colorectal cancer is slated to become the leading cause of cancer-related death among young adults in the next five years. Now, a new study has identified a potential link between a toxin in the gut and the sharp rise of disease in younger people. Colibactin, which is produced by harmful species of gut bacteria, can inflict DNA damage on colon cells that can lead to the development of cancer. Researchers say that damage is prominent in people who developed colorectal cancer at a younger age. Previous research had identified the DNA mutations in approximately 10 to 15 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. 'These mutation patterns are a kind of historical record in the genome, and they point to early-life exposure to colibactin as a driving force behind early-onset disease,' UC San Diego professor Ludmil Alexandrov explained in a statement. So, what should Americans know about this toxin? E. coli — yes, the foodborne illness E. coli — is a vital part of a healthy gut microbiome. However, some strains can produce the toxin called colibactin, which is capable of altering a person's DNA. The toxin has been previously been linked to some cases of colorectal cancers, and 20 percent of people are thought to contain strains that can produce it. But, colibactin-producing microbes are not the only bacteria linked to colorectal cancers. Another gut microbe called F. nucleatum has been implicated in the development of the disease. It may contribute to disease development by enabling the tumor to proliferate and evade the immune system, Alexandrov told NBC News. When should people look out for impacts from colibactin? Colibactin's damaging effects begin early on. Alexandrov and the study's authors found such mutations occur within the first 10 years of life. Furthermore, the study revealed that DNA mutations account for approximately 15 percent of mutations found in the tumor-suppressing APC gene in colorectal cancer, which are some of the earliest genetic changes that can directly promote cancer development. 'If someone acquires one of these driver mutations by the time they're 10 years old,' Alexandrov said, 'they could be decades ahead of schedule for developing colorectal cancer, getting it at age 40 instead of 60.' What are the symptoms to be aware of? Although some people could have colon cancer and not know it, others may experience blood in their stool, diarrhea, fatigue, rectal bleeding, constipation, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. Colorectal polyps that grow in the colon or rectum can turn into cancer if not removed. If you are experiencing a symptom, it does not mean you have colorectal cancer. But, you should see a doctor. 'If anyone has any change in their bowel habits, if they have any bleeding — even if they think it's a hemorrhoid, and it doesn't go away — just get a colonoscopy,' Yale Medicine colorectal. surgeon Dr. Vikram Reddy advised. Why are colorectal cancer rates rising in young people? Young people are often diagnosed with more advanced cancers due to delays in detection. 'If you're 39 and you're having these symptoms, you're not thinking, 'I have colon cancer,'' Dr. Sonia Ramamoorthy, chief of colorectal surgery at UC San Diego said. 'You're thinking, 'I ate something. I'm working too hard.' If you're tired and you're stressed out, you're thinking, 'It'll go away.' People are presenting later because they're just not attributing their symptoms to something that could be serious.' But, doctors have also singled out other contributing factors, including excess body weight, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, a high intake of red or processed meat, and other environmental factors. A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, are also risk factors, according to Yale Medicine. How do I protect myself? People may reduce their risk of colorectal cancer by limiting their alcohol consumption, keeping a healthy diet and increasing their physical activity. Screenings also play an important role in finding any precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Federal health officials say people should get screened starting at age 45, although there are questions about whether it should be lowered to 40. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer may need to get checked even earlier. Although, screening comes with its own risks as some medical machines have been linked to higher cancer rates. There are some disparities to be aware of - Black Americans are 15 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer and 35 percent more likely to die from it than white Americans. But, there's still a lot to learn. 'We don't understand a lot about the causes, the biology, or how to prevent early onset of the disease,' Phil Daschner, a program director in NCI's Division of Cancer Biology said. 'And that's important to learn more about because it may affect [approaches for] the treatment and survivorship of early-onset colon cancer.'
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Survey Reveals Disparities in Minorities that Could Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk
Alliance Advocates for Greater Awareness during April Minority Health Month 'As the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending this disease, the Alliance is committed to spreading education among underserved communities and breaking down barriers to timely screening.' — Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 10, 2025 / / -- April is Minority Health Month, a crucial time to shed light on the disparities in colorectal cancer awareness and screening among Black and Hispanic adults. A recent survey commissioned by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance) and conducted by Wakefield Research unveils alarming gaps in knowledge and misconceptions about this preventable disease, underscoring the urgent need for targeted education and outreach. The survey found that these minority groups are significantly less aware that colorectal cancer is often not detected until the late stages due to mild symptoms—just 35% of Black adults and 38% of Hispanic adults recognize this as true, compared to 52% of white adults. Additionally, only 29% of Black adults and 36% of Hispanic adults understand that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, compared to 46% of white adults. This lack of knowledge can be deadly, especially with Hispanics and Blacks already at a higher risk for the disease. 'Lack of awareness is a key factor in delaying potentially life-saving screening,' said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. 'As the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending this disease, the Alliance is committed to spreading education among underserved communities and breaking down barriers to timely screening.' Beyond awareness, familiarity with colonoscopy procedures also varies widely. While 79% of white adults know that a colonoscopy involves inserting a camera into the body to examine the colon, only 53% of Black adults are aware. Similarly, 52% of Black adults understand the need for a day of preparation, compared to 75% of white adults. Alarmingly, nearly a quarter (23%) of Black adults incorrectly believe a colonoscopy requires an inpatient hospital stay—potentially contributing to the 36% of those not already committed to getting screened who report fear could keep them from doing so. Hispanic adults showed the highest knowledge gap when deciphering colonoscopy myths and facts, with 34% answering three or more statements incorrectly, higher than white (23%) and black (23%) adults. Medical recommendations also show stark disparities. A staggering 58% of Black adults and 51% of Hispanic adults have never had a doctor recommend colorectal cancer screening, compared to 36% of white adults. Yet, the good news is that among those who have not yet been screened, 49% of Black adults are committed to doing so at age 45 or within the next year—more than double the percentage of white adults (23%). And while only 27% of white adults would rather get a colonoscopy than file their taxes, 38% of Hispanic adults and 43% of Black adults would choose the colonoscopy. Hispanic adults (60%) are the most likely to say they can never seem to find the time for health screenings like those for colorectal cancer. However, 43% could be convinced to get a colonoscopy if they received a day off from work or childcare, which is higher than white (24%), and black (34%) adults. By normalizing the conversation around colorectal cancer through initiatives like LEAD FROM BEHIND, addressing common misconceptions, and providing accessible tools, the Alliance is working to close these critical awareness gaps and save lives. The Alliance offers support and information about colorectal cancer risk factors, symptoms, and screening options, as well as a free personalized screening recommendation in both English and Spanish at About the Colorectal Cancer Alliance The Colorectal Cancer Alliance empowers a nation of passionate and determined allies to prevent, treat, and overcome colorectal cancer in their lives and communities. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance advocates for prevention through initiatives like LEAD FROM BEHIND, magnifies support with BlueHQ, and accelerates research through Project Cure CRC. We are the largest national nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer, and we exist to end this disease in our lifetime. For more information, visit Methodology: The Colorectal Cancer Alliance Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+ X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube TikTok Legal Disclaimer:
