Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States and around the world. It's the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths in the state of Illinois. Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to replicate in an uncontrolled fashion. So we are familiar with various types of cancer, but today we're talking about colorectal cancer.
Getting screened for colorectal cancer is extremely important, and it's one of the types of cancers that screening can actually be preventative. We know that colorectal cancer is on the rise in younger age groups, and in recent years, their screening age for colorectal cancer actually move from 50 to age 45. So individuals between the ages of 45 and 75 should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Again, it's one of the leading causes of cancer death. And if we can detect that cancer early, that allows us to approach treatment from a less aggressive standpoint and increases the rate of survival.
There are a number of risk factors for colorectal cancer. These include your family history. If you have a family member, father, mother, sister, or brother or other relative with colorectal cancer, that's a risk factor for you. There are also several genetic disorders, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases that can increase your risk for colorectal cancer. We know that these are risk factors that you can't change, so being aware of them is very important. However, there are some lifestyle related risk factors that you can change, getting exercise, eating a proper diet, reducing alcohol consumption. These are some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer that are within our control.
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. One is getting appropriate screening. So if you're at age 45 or approaching age 45, make plans to get screened on a regular basis. Second, get plenty of exercise. Obesity is one of the leading contributors for colorectal cancer. And thirdly, focus in on having a healthy diet. So reducing the number or the amount of red meats that you consume. Fried foods, increase the number of vegetables and whole wheat products that you eat. Fruit, for example, would be a good one to add as well. And then reducing alcohol consumption. These are some actions that you can take to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.
There are a number of methods for screening for colorectal cancer. The gold standard for screening is the colonoscopy. It requires prep before that study and then also requires some sedation when that procedure occurs. But you can also be screened for colorectal cancer in the privacy of your own home. There are several home kits that are available, such as the Cologuard test, as well as the FIT test. These are tests that, you collect the sample at home and you return it to the laboratory and they run the test and let you know whether it's positive or negative.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is committed to helping improve the health of individuals across the state of Illinois in the Chicago area on our south and west sides through our Blue Door neighborhood Center. We have partnered with American Cancer Society, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Gilda's Club, and Sinai Health to improve the screening for colorectal cancer in the communities. We are launching a three year campaign using fit kits as well as our partner, Everly Well, to help make screening more accessible in these communities. We know that men, as well as members of minoritized communities, are more likely to have cancer-related deaths. And again, that's why screening is really important. So reach out to the men who are in your families, in your communities and ensure that they're aware of the new age or screening, which begins at age 45. We see higher rates of cancer-related deaths in minority communities, not necessarily because there is a genetic predisposition, but also we know that the diet and the environment can contribute to whether cancers occur. And so certainly in those communities where we see food deserts or we see higher rates of obesity, higher rates of diabetes and other chronic conditions, these can increase the risk for colorectal cancer. And so screening and education is very important.
