‘No Excuses’ When It Comes to Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Colorectal cancers (CRCs) are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women combined, but experts say that up to 60% of CRCs could be prevented with screening. To kick off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, this week’s episode of the “CURE® Talks Cancer” podcast features April Schack, a colorectal cancer survivor and ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer, or Fight CRC.

This month, the organization is launching a new awareness campaign, called “No Excuses,” in Times Square in New York City, to rally awareness for the disease and encourage individuals to get screened as soon as possible. Schack, who is serving as a 2021 Fight CRC Ambassador, spoke with CURE® to discuss what it was like to be diagnosed with colon cancer at age 37, and how she found a community of fellow patients and other advocates with Fight CRC.

“I think people are scared to talk about it,” Schack said in an interview. “And so, it (the campaign) is showing us, you know, we're a group of people who've been through it, and it's not something you should be scared to talk about.”

“I've shared my story with family and friends, and I've gotten so many people who messaged me and said, ‘You know, I had these symptoms and I went and scheduled my colonoscopy because of you.’ And if I can do even just that little bit to get someone to get screened and save their lives, that's amazing.”

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