 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which works to encourage individuals to get preventative screenings before the disease progresses. I spoke with Public Health Director Tammy Riley about how you can minimize your risk. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and awareness is so important because early detection equals greater chances for a positive outcome. We hear 45 is the new 50, well that certainly applies to Colorectal Cancer screenings. Individuals are recommended to get an initial screening at the age of 45 if there is no family history or otherwise a healthy individual. Low risk patients without a family history or any other risk factors can opt for the male in, which is easy, a very simple process where you male in a sample and you get results back fairly quickly. Some of the symptoms of Colorectal Cancer include bloody stool, changes in bowel movements, gas, abdominal pain, vomiting, and other GI issues. Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Kentucky, so knowing your risk factors are very important, which include family history, genetics, obesity, whether you're a smoker, and knowing your family history. Polyps is also, during the screening processes, if polyps are detected it's also a risk factor. Some other health factors like Crohn's disease can also increase your risk for Colorectal Cancer. Unfortunately, Colorectal Cancer in the early stages typically have no symptoms, which is why the early detection is so important. Reporting for Mountain Top News, I'm Brianna Robinson.