March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Join with Vanderbilt to:

• Know the facts.
• Honor and remember loved ones.
• Get screened at 50 or motivate others to get screened.

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum and is the third most common type of cancer in men and women in the United States.  

Colon cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it's found early. Screening is the #1 way to prevent colon cancer because it finds cancer in the early stages or before it even has the chance to grow or develop.

All men and women should be screened for colon cancer. Your individual risk factors – such as ethnicity, lifestyle and family history – will determine when you should start getting checked. For most adults, it is recommended that colon cancer screening should begin at age 50.

Get Involved:

Wear Blue Day - Friday, March 2
Wear Blue to support and raise awareness. Use this day to spread the word about colon cancer screening. Dress yourself, your family, or your pets in blue and share your photos with the Vanderbilt community.

Share your photos with us on Twitter @WellVanderbilt using the hashtag #wearblueVU or #wearblueVUMC.

Decorate Your Work Area Blue
Get creative and get blue! As a department group, decorate your work area in blue to raise awareness for Colon Cancer Screening. We want to see how you would remind people that colon cancer screening should begin at age 50. Examples might include decorating a reception area, window, door, nursing station, or break room.

Participation: Make a team of up to 20 people and decorate your work area. Large departments may have multiple teams participate. Faculty and staff may only be members on one team.

Registration: Registration is not required, but to receive a starter kit, email​ Health Plus by March 5.

Take a picture: Submit your photo by Friday, March 23, to Health Plus (health.plus@vanderbilt.edu) with the subject line:

• Vanderbilt University departments use "VU Goes Blue"
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center departments use "VUMC Goes Blue"

Judging will take place on March 27 and winners will be announced March 30. A Medical Center department and University department will be selected to win a prize package.

Scope Out Colon Health Expo
Wednesday, March 28, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Visit the Expo in the Light Hall North Lobby to learn about prevention, screenings, and more! First 150 attendees will receive a stadium cushion!