Research shows colon cancer is one of the few cancers you can actually prevent, and yet, too many Americans are still avoiding the screening that could save their lives.
March marks Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and the numbers are sobering. Colorectal cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., and cases are rising in adults under 50. That shift prompted updated guidelines recommending routine screening begin at age 45 for people at average risk.
The good news? Screening works. A colonoscopy doesn’t just detect cancer, it can prevent it by removing precancerous polyps before they turn dangerous. For those hesitant about the traditional procedure, there are now at-home stool-based tests and other non-invasive options that can serve as first-line screening tools. Doctors say the most important step isn’t which test you choose, it’s that you choose one.
That’s something KFI’s Bill Handel feels strongly about.
In a candid conversation (is there any other type of convo with Bill?), the longtime KFI host shared why he’s been so outspoken about colon health. For Bill, it’s personal. His mother-in-law battled colon cancer, and he saw firsthand how devastating the diagnosis can be for a family. That experience changed how he talks about screening — blunt, direct, and with no shame.
When asked why there’s such a taboo when it comes to colonoscopies, Bill said, “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because there’s a 5-foot piece of hose that goes up your ass?” he laughs. “Yeah, I think there’s a little bit of a taboo.”
He’s quick to follow up and remind everyone that while it may be taboo, it’s worth it to save a life.
Colon cancer doesn’t always come with early warning signs. Doctors urge people to watch for red flags like unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits, but they stress that waiting for symptoms is risky.
The bottom line: this is a highly preventable cancer. And while it may not be the most comfortable dinner-table topic, it’s a conversation worth having.
Listen to the full conversation with Bill Handel on Entertain Me with Heather Brooker.
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