NORWICH – March is traditionally celebrated in the health care world as Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month. This is a time when health care professionals remind the public that it is very important for adults to be screened for colorectal cancer. UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital’s physician services department wants the public to know that the screenings are important. They can save your life. Make an appointment with your health care provider and have the screening done.

According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, colorectal cancer screenings save lives in two important ways: by detecting the cancer early when it is most treatable and by finding and removing precancerous polyps before they become cancerous.

Generally, both men and women should undergo testing for the disease beginning at age 50. People with a high risk for colorectal cancer and those with a family history should speak with their health care provider about being screened at an earlier age.

Those at risk for colorectal cancer include:

• People age 50 and older

• People who smoke

• People who are overweight or obese, especially those who carry fat around their waists

• People who are not physically active