The following content is created in consultation with MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper (MDA Cooper). It does not reflect the work or opinions of NBC Philadelphia's editorial staff. To learn more about MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, visit cooperhealth.org.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 135,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States this year, and over 50,000 will die from the disease. Colon cancer begins in a patient's colon or rectum due to out of control cell growth, and it ranks as the nation's third-leading cause of cancer related deaths in both men and women.

But we can put an end to these alarming statistics and needless deaths. Thanks to advances in prevention, early detection and better treatment options, there are now over one million colon cancer survivors in the US alone.

The key to battling this deadly disease -- a disease that is on the rise among Americans under the age of 50 -- is regular screenings. By testing patients, doctors are able to either prevent the disease entirely by finding and removing precancerous polyps, or beat it by discovering cells at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. Regular screenings should begin by the time you turn 50, or earlier if you have a family history or are experiencing symptoms like rectal bleeding. Put your pride aside, speak to your family and friends and encourage them to get tested. By doing so, you’ll be joining the fight to eliminate this major public health problem. 

That's why the experts at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper are here to help. Join them on Wednesday, March 28 at 12:30 p.m. for their free webinar: Prevention, Detection, and Treatments for Colorectal Cancer. Led by Dr. Tara Lautenslager, an attending physician at the Digestive Health Institute of Cooper University Health Care, and Dr. Michael Kwiatt, an Attending Surgeon in the Division of Colorectal Surgery at Cooper University Health Care and the Gastrointestinal Cancer program at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, the free webinar will focus on colon cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. From learning about healthy lifestyle changes that promote colon health to the importance of a colonoscopy to understanding the next steps in the event of a diagnosis, the webinar will arm you with everything you need to know about this treatable disease.

The state-of-the-art Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at MDA Cooper takes a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, offering a level of experience and clinical excellence that is unmatched in South Jersey. This means that each patient has an entire team of doctors and other medical professionals at work on his or her behalf. By combining the skills and knowledge of specialists in related fields, MD Anderson Cooper physicians can determine the optimal regimen of care for each individual case.

For more tips and useful insights on reducing your colon cancer risk, join Cooper University Health Care's Prevention, Detection, and Treatments for Colorectal Cancer Webinar on March 28. Register here

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