MIDDLETOWN, NY –March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and health experts are urging residents to prioritize screenings for a disease that is highly preventable when caught early.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and New York, according to the American Cancer Society. Routine screening can detect and remove precancerous polyps, significantly reducing risk.
“Screening saves lives,” said Delilah Socci, community health manager at Garnet Health. “If listeners take anything away, it’s to get screened.”
Socci noted that fear, embarrassment, and misconceptions often keep people from getting checked. She stressed that early-stage colorectal cancer usually shows no symptoms, and waiting until problems appear can be dangerous. Warning signs include rectal bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, and iron-deficiency anemia.
Increasing rates among younger adults — even in their 30s and 40s — are raising concern. Socci urged anyone with symptoms or a family history of colorectal cancer to speak with a healthcare provider, regardless of age.
Current guidelines recommend adults at average risk begin screening at 45. Those with a family history may need to start earlier — typically 10 years before the age the youngest affected relative was diagnosed. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detection, allowing doctors to remove polyps immediately. At-home stool tests are available but require follow-up colonoscopies if results are positive.
Beyond screenings, lifestyle choices can reduce risk. Socci recommends regular exercise, a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting smoking, alcohol, and processed or red meats.
Garnet Health will host a free community event, “Love Your Gut,” on March 30 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello. Activities include A1C and blood pressure screenings, nutrition education, wellness sessions like yoga, Q&A with physicians, and an interactive inflatable colon exhibit.
“It’s a free event designed to make preventive care accessible,” Socci said.
Residents seeking more information or scheduling a screening can contact their primary care provider or visit Garnet Health’s website .
Garnet Health is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.
Image: Blue flags are planted on the National Mall near the Capitol as part of an effort to advocate for funding and research into fighting colorectal cancer, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)