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Colorectal cancer

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Banners raising awareness for colorectal cancer displayed on the National Mall.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is when tiny cells in parts of our body called the colon or rectum start growing too fast. These parts help us digest food and get rid of waste. When cells grow out of control, it can make a person feel very tired, have stomach pain, or notice changes in their bowel movements. Sometimes, there might be blood in the stool.

How Can We Stay Healthy?

Doctors can find colorectal cancer early by checking parts of the colon with special tools like a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. It is very important for people between the ages of 45 and 75 to get these check-ups regularly. Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help lower the risk. Being active and not smoking can also keep us healthy.

Why Do We Know About It?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer around the world. It happens more often in developed countries. Learning about it helps doctors find it early and treat it better. In the United States, March is colorectal cancer awareness month to remind people to take care of their health and get regular check-ups.

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This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Colorectal cancer, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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