National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: The Importance of Early Detection

Every March, we recognize National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about this all-too-common disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, 107,320 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 52,900 people will die from colorectal cancer in 2025 alone. These numbers are a stark reminder of the importance of early detection and prevention.

The good news is that screening for colorectal cancer just got easier. A recent decision from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded coverage for computed tomographic colonography (CTC) – a minimally invasive colorectal cancer screening tool that can detect precancerous polyps and does not require anesthesia. This advancement could help detect colorectal cancer earlier and save lives.

But more must be done to ensure we can boost patient access to innovative technologies. That’s why RSRT patient advocates like Erika Hanson Brown, Founder and CEO of One Cancer Place, are urging lawmakers to make AI-enabled medical imaging technologies accessible and effective for patients.

This month, we encourage you to learn more about your screening options and how you can get more involved with RSRT to boost patient access to next-generation technologies.