During the sixth annual National Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, the American Cancer Society is raising awareness that the third most common cause of cancer and cancer death in both men and women in the United States is largely preventable.

Colorectal cancer, commonly referred to as colon cancer, accounts for about 10 percent of all cancers. The society estimates that this year, 145,290 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer and 56,290 will die of the disease – a number that could be cut in half if Americans followed recommendations for colon cancer. In Maine, some 800 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2005, and more than 300 will die of the disease.

Colon cancer is the rare case in which testing can actually prevent the disease, and when caught early, it has a 90 percent survival rate. Still, fewer than 39 percent of these cancers are discovered at the earliest, most treatable stage. The American Cancer Society says increasing colon cancer testing among adults 50 and older represents the single greatest opportunity to decrease colon cancer death rates in this country.

Dr. Stephen F. Sener, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society, said, “If we can increase awareness and compliance to the level we’ve done with the Pap test and the mammogram, we will have a tremendous opportunity to save thousands of lives through prevention and early detection.”

The American Cancer Society makes reliable information regarding colon cancer, risk factors, prevention and testing available through trained specialists. The toll-free cancer information service at (800) ACS-2345 answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers also may receive a free information kit and DVD. At www.cancer.org, visitors will find the latest cancer news, links to community resources and events, and books.