Raising awareness about colon cancer, a disease increasingly affecting younger adults

Actor and Howard University alum Chadwick Boseman delivers the commencement address on May 12, 2018. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) by& Lindiwe Vilakazi, The Washington Informer & In August 2020, the world was shocked to learn celebrated actor Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed the powerful title character in Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” died after a private, yearslong battle with colon cancer. While many were surprised by the news of Boseman’s death at 43, studies show the actor’s 2016 diagnosis and death four years later matched recent statistics: colorectal cancer is affecting younger adults and Black Americans at alarming rates. With statistics showing African Americans and young adults particularly affected by colorectal cancer, physicians are using March — Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — to emphasize the importance of preventative measures and screenings to combat fatal outcomes from the disease. According to the& American Cancer Society, there are an estimated 106,590 new cases of colon cancer (52,380 in women and 54,210 in men) and 46,220 new diagnoses of rectal cancer (18,890 women and 27,330 in men) recorded in 2024.& & & Moreover, African Americans run greater risk in developing the disease.& Studies reveal Black people are 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer, and...