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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - and the perfect time to have a talk with your doctor.

Colorectal cancer is a serious threat, with approximately 56,000 Americans dying from it yearly. But you don't have to be one of these statistics; when colon cancer is found early, it is very curable.

Colon cancer occurs in the colon or rectum, which is the same thing as the large intestine. Colorectal cancer tends to occur in midlife, with 90 percent of colorectal cancers being diagnosed in persons, age 50 or older.

No racial or ethnic group is spared from this disease, although some may be at a higher risk of developing the disease. Colorectal cancer tends to occur and kill African Americans more often, followed by Caucasians, Asian Americans, Hispanics and American Indians.

If you are 50 or older, you should begin having regular tests for colon cancer. However, your doctor may have you screened earlier if you have a previous history of colorectal cancer or you have a family history. There are five different types of screening tests; talk to your doctor about which type of test you should have. These tests can find polyps, which are growths inside the colon or rectum, that are not normal. If these polyps are not removed, they can turn into cancer.

The Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) checks for hidden blood in the stool. With this test, the doctor gives you a test kit. At home, you place a small amount of stool from three bowel movements on test cards. You then return the cards to your doctor's office or a lab where the stool samples are tested for hidden blood. This test should be performed yearly.

The Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig) test is recommended to be done every five years. It examines the lining of the rectum and lower part of the colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope that is inserted into the rectum and lower part of the colon.

The third test is a combination the FOBT and Flex Sig tests. Some doctors recommend using both tests to increase the chance of finding polyps and cancers. This test is recommended every five years.

The colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test. It is similar to the Flex Sig, but it allows the doctor to look at the entire lining of the rectum and entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope, which is inserted into the rectum and colon. The test is recommended every 10 years for individuals with no family or personal history of colon cancer and no symptoms.

The Double Contrast Barium Enema test allows the doctor to see an X-ray image of the rectum and entire colon. First, the patient is given an enema with a liquid barium that flows from a tube into the colon, followed by an air enema. The barium and air create an outline around the colon, allowing the doctor to see if anything is wrong. A double contrast barium enema is recommended every 5-10 years.

There are some things you can do to decrease your risk for colorectal cancer:

Increase your physical activity. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on the majority of days of the week.

Don't start smoking, and if you do smoke, quit. In the USA, one in five colorectal cancers in men and one in eight colorectal cancers in women may be due to cigarette smoking.

Improve your diet by eating more fruits and vegetables. Limit your alcohol use. Limit the number of high fat foods in your diet, and red, charred or processed meat.

Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu.

This column on family and consumer education news appears in the Thursday Community section of the Tyler Morning Telegraph

Now, let's be honest. When was the last time you had a colorectal screening if you're over the age of 50 or have a family history of this cancer? Remember that if polyps are found, they can be removed before turning into cancer. This cancer, when caught early, is highly curable, and you have a great chance of surviving this disease if it is caught early. Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Cancer Council encourage you to take charge of your health now, which will lead to a healthier tomorrow.