March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time to talk about a cancer that affects many Native families. Colorectal cancer impacts American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people more than most other groups.
Many Native people are diagnosed later, when cancer is harder to treat. This is not because people don’t care about their health. It often happens because of long travel distances, limited clinics, cost, and lack of easy access to screening. Some communities must travel by plane or drive many hours just to see a provider.
The good news is that screening saves lives. Finding cancer early or before it startscan prevent serious illness. Screening does not always mean a colonoscopy. There are stool tests that can be done at home and mailed in, which may be easier for people living far from medical centers. The most important screening is the one that works for you and gets done.
Our ancestors valued balance, good food, movement, and caring for one another. Returning to traditional foods, staying active, and checking in on family members can support gut health and overall wellness.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, let’s talk openly, support one another, and encourage our relatives to get screened. Taking care of ourselves helps protect our families and future generations.