March is colon cancer awareness month in Iowa. Earlier this month, Governor Terry Branstad signed the proclamation for the observation. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Iowa. Often it is preventable and if detected early it can be 90% treatable.

Also, according to IDPH, seven out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer had no signs or symptoms. Everyone 50-years-old and older should be screened for colorectal cancer.

You can lower your colorectal cancer risk by getting screened, limiting fat and red meat intake, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, avoiding tobacco use and limiting alcohol.