March 1 marks the start of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Montefiore kicked it off by helping residents learn all they need to know about getting screened for colon cancer.

“Colon cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women in this country,” said Dr. Akash Kumar, medical director of the GI Cancer Screening program at Montefiore.

Kumar says that people should watch for any change to their bowels as a sign – that includes new constipation, diarrhea, weight loss and any sign of rectal bleeding. He says all adults should be screened after the age of 45.

Montefiore experts say that Black and brown communities are diagnosed with more aggressive forms of colorectal cancer compared to white communities.

The program has patient navigators to help reluctant individuals go through the screening process.