The month of March begins this week, and that also signals the beginning of Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Colon cancer can be easily prevented with screenings and colonoscopies, which allows doctors to catch the disease early before it becomes hard to treat. So, why isn’t there a line of people waiting to undergo a screening? The answer is simple: fear.

A colonoscopy is often more uncomfortable to talk about than it is to have one done. People don’t like to talk about “that area down there,” and the thought of this invasive examination is enough to keep many away.

However, it’s important to remember that colonoscopies today involve more steps than ever to make the patient comfortable, and there is little risk of injury. It’s certainly not fun, but it’s also not something of which to be afraid.

Colon cancer affects both men and women equally, and those over the age of 50 are encouraged to schedule a screening, as their risk increases. It is the third-most common form of cancer in men and women, according to the American Cancer Society.

The Cancer Society also predicts there will be 95,520 new cases of colon cancer and 39,910 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States this year, and for well over 50,000 people, it will be fatal.

There is no reason to be one of these 50,000. The resources are there to ensure Beaufort County residents can learn more about colon cancer and move forward with preventative steps.

In the next month, Vidant Health will host two sessions with gastroenterologist Dr. Thomas Ruffolo to talk about colon cancer:

• March 14 — The Tavern at Jack’s Neck, 238 Pamlico St., Belhaven, 6 p.m.
• March 23 — N.C. Estuarium, 223 E. Water St., Washington, 6 p.m.

Get past the fear and prevent this potentially fatal cancer. No amount of discomfort justifies risking one’s life.