Health District Promotes Colon Cancer Prevention

VA Dept of Health Newsroom

Published March 6th, 2026

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District has issued a notice encouraging healthy behaviors and early screenings to prevent colon cancer during National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The notice highlights lifestyle risk factors and recommends screenings starting at age 45 for average-risk adults.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District has released a public health notice to promote colon cancer prevention strategies in observance of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The notice emphasizes the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing weight, as well as the critical role of early screening for colorectal cancer, recommended to begin at age 45 for average-risk individuals.

This notice serves as an informational campaign to raise public awareness and encourage proactive health measures. While it does not impose new regulatory requirements or deadlines, it strongly advises residents to adopt preventative behaviors and adhere to screening guidelines. Compliance officers should note this as a public health initiative that may inform patient outreach or wellness program development within healthcare provider organizations.

What to do next

Review and disseminate information on healthy lifestyle choices for colon cancer prevention.
Promote awareness of recommended colon cancer screening guidelines, including the starting age of 45 for average-risk adults.

Source document (simplified)

March 6, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov.

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Encourages Healthy Behaviors to Prevent Colon Cancer March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Warrenton, Va. – Colorectal cancer is one of the top three cancers diagnosed in Virginia. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District strives to protect the health of its residents by providing those preventative strategies that may serve to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like colon cancer.

In honor of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District wants to remind you of the importance of lifestyle-related risk factors and early screenings.

“During National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage our community to take simple steps to reduce their risk of colon cancer, including maintaining healthy habits and staying up to date with recommended screenings,” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “Early detection saves lives, and screening can even prevent cancer by finding precancerous polyps. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is committed to helping residents access the information and resources they need to stay healthy.”

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. While the exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known, you can help reduce your risk by making healthy choices. Practice these common behaviors to help prevent your chances of colon cancer:

Avoid Tobacco: For the first step in living tobacco free, visit Quit Now Virginia.
Eat Healthy Foods: Healthy eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein.
Get Regular Exercise: Physical activity is one of the best things Virginians can do for their health and well-being.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: Choose not to drink or drink alcohol in moderation.
Manage Your Weight: A healthy weight is an important step to lower your risk of getting cancer. The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly, beginning at age 45 for average-risk adults. Screening can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. It can also find pre-cancerous polyps, allowing doctors the chance to remove them before they turn into cancer.

The Virginia Department of Health’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program (VACCP) focuses on reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of all cancers through prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation.

To learn more about available cancer prevention programs and resources, contact The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District at www.rrhd.org.