For the past 20 years, more people have been surviving colon cancer, and fewer people have been dying from it. This is thanks to improvements in colon cancer screening and treatment. Screening can find growths called polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. And screening can find the disease earlier, when it’s easier to treat. The American Cancer Society wants to make sure you know how you can lower your chances of getting colon cancer.

Most people who are diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. But some people have certain risk factors that may make them more likely to develop it and at an earlier age. This may mean they should get a screening test earlier, or have the test more often than other people.

Read more from American Cancer Society.