Commemorate colorectal cancer prevention on Dress in Blue Day on March 1

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Dress in Blue Day is the first Friday in March that promotes National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Woodlands Online encourages its readers to dig through their closets and wear the bluest blues they can find for March 1.

More than 50 metropolitan landmarks, including facilities in the local Memorial Hermann Hospital System, will also go blue to make a profound statement and spread awareness that colorectal cancer is preventable through screening.

“Dress in Blue Day lets allies everywhere join our mission to end colorectal cancer. By wearing blue, you bring awareness to this disease, support our work, and honor all impacted by colorectal cancer,” said representatives from the alliance in a statement.

Last year, an estimated 153,020 people were diagnosed with this highly preventable disease. They will join more than 1.4 million colorectal cancer patients and survivors living today.

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colorectal cancer begin at age 45 for average risk individuals. Those at increased risk need to be screened earlier. It’s the law for all Texans to access affordable preventative colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45. While one of the deadliest cancers, colon cancer is also one of the most preventable thanks to several screening options, including simple take-home options.

Dress in Blue Day began with Anita Mitchell, Colorectal Cancer Alliance volunteer, Never Too Young Advisory Board member, and Colon Cancer Stars founder. Anita, who was battling stage IV colorectal cancer and lost a close friend and father to the disease, saw a need to bring greater awareness to a cancer not many people wanted to discuss. In 2006, she worked with her children’s school to coordinate a recognition day with incredible success. In 2009, Anita brought the Dress in Blue Day concept to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and together they took the program nationwide.