My Wake-Up Call This Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—a time to wear blue, talk openly about screening, and remember that colorectal cancer is often preventable with early detection. But for me, this March feels deeply personal.

Last year, I lost a dear colleague and friend to colon cancer. She was only 48 years old—vibrant, beautiful, hardworking, and far too young. Her diagnosis came late, and watching her fight—and ultimately lose—that battle broke my heart. It was a stark reminder that this disease doesn’t always follow the “old age” stereotype. In fact, colorectal cancer rates are rising in people under 50, and it’s now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 in the U.S.

I always thought, “That won’t be me.” No family history, no obvious symptoms, no red flags. I avoided getting a colonoscopy because I didn’t think I needed one. Like many people, I figured if something was wrong, I’d feel it. And when at-home options like Cologuard came up, I told myself that was “good enough” for now.

Then February happened.

I finally scheduled a colonoscopy. What I expected to be a routine check turned into life-changing news: I had a precancerous tumor the size of a walnut. It wasn’t cancer yet, but it was on its way—and it had gone undetected. Cologuard, the stool-based test I’d considered, wouldn’t have reliably caught it. Studies show Cologuard detects only about 42% of advanced precancerous polyps (the kind most likely to become cancer), while colonoscopy—the gold standard—finds over 95% and allows doctors to remove them on the spot.

Because I delayed, I didn’t just need a screening; I needed colorectal surgery to remove the tumor. The recovery has been tough—far worse than the colonoscopy prep everyone dreads. Prep is uncomfortable for a day or two, but surgery meant hospital time, pain management, weeks of healing, dietary changes, altering family schedules, and a long road back to normal. It’s a reminder: the “inconvenience” of screening pales in comparison to treating advanced disease.

I’m sharing this because I don’t want anyone else to learn the hard way. Current guidelines from the American Cancer Society, USPSTF, and others recommend starting regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for people at average risk (earlier if you have family history, symptoms, or other risks). Options include colonoscopy (every 10 years if normal), stool tests like Cologuard (with follow-up colonoscopy if positive), and more—but colonoscopy remains the most comprehensive because it prevents cancer by removing polyps before they turn cancerous.

Key facts to know this March:

•  An estimated 159,000 new colorectal cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026—about 440 every day.

•  Over 55,000 people are expected to die from it this year.

•  Early detection dramatically improves outcomes: When found localized, the 5-year survival rate is over 90%.

•  Many cases are preventable through screening and polyp removal.

If you’re 45 or older and haven’t been screened, please talk to your doctor. If you’re younger but have symptoms (like changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, or abdominal pain), don’t wait—get checked. And if you’ve put it off like I did, let my story be your nudge. If you have no idea where to get your screening, I highly recommend the talented and caring crew at Birmingham Gastroenterology Associates. Make sure you tell them "Juju sent you".

I’m grateful mine was caught in time to treat it before it became cancer. I’m healing, and I’m committed to spreading the word: Screening saves lives. Honoring my friend means making sure her loss wasn’t in vain.

Wear blue this month. Get screened. Talk to your loved ones about it. You could be saving your own life—or someone else’s.

Resources to get started:

•  Colorectal Cancer Alliance: colorectalcancer.org

•  American Cancer Society: cancer.org (search colorectal screening)

•  CDC screening info: cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer

Thank you for reading. If this resonates, share your own story or reminder in the comments—we’re all in this together. 

With hope and gratitude,

Deanna