Asians / Pacific Islanders
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among Asian Americans / Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Asians / Pacific Islanders have one of the lowest rates of colorectal cancer screening in the United States, with only 52 percent up to date with their screening. Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum. If not removed, these polyps may become cancerous. Colonoscopy is the only screening procedure where a doctor can find and remove polyps in the colon or rectum before they become cancerous. The highest colorectal cancer survival rates are for this community (68 percent), but that number could be higher if screening rates increased. Colon cancer can be prevented with timely screenings starting at age 45, even if you don’t have symptoms.