Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, but it is preventable with early screening. “What we know is that 90 percent of colon cancers are curable if they’re found in early stages, so our job really, and I often tell people, our job isn’t even to find early cancer,” said Dr. Mitra Ehsan, colorectal surgeon at Overlake’s Colon & Rectal Clinic and Cancer Center. “Our job is to prevent cancer by doing good screening.” Colorectal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so it’s important to have regular colonoscopy screenings beginning at age 45. “If you wait until you have blood in the stool or weight loss that’s unexplained or abdominal symptoms, it will be less likely to be cured and less likely to be prevented,” Dr. Ehsan said. Your risk of colorectal cancer increases with age and if you have an inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of polyps or colon cancer. Lifestyle factors can also increase your risk for colorectal cancer. These include a diet low in fruits and vegetables and/or one that is low fiber and high in fat, lack of physical activity or exercise, alcohol consumption and tobacco use. If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the Overlake Colon and Rectal Clinic offers several treatment options, like surgical procedures and minimally invasive techniques featuring state-of-the-art robotics, radiation and chemotherapy. The Overlake team of experts includes genetic counselors, social workers, patient navigators, nutritionists and therapists. “We have an incredibly supportive team approach to help you have the safest and the best possible outcome,” Dr. Ehsan said. Dr. Ehsan says the most important thing people can do in March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is get screened. “Nobody wants to talk about their colon,” she said. “People don’t even want to think they have one, but if we can just make some noise about it and have people get screened, that’s the key.” To get more information about colorectal cancer and early detection, visit the Overlake Medical Center website. Sponsored by Overlake Medical Center and Clinics Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.