The doctor's order isn't always taken seriously by patients. Men and women both avoid their yearly appointments, physicals and various tests that can allow doctors to check on your overall health.Oftentimes, those orders can be life changing or even lifesaving.

Ask yourself these questions, "Why do I avoid going to the doctor, why do I miss my yearly appointments and why don't I do what the doctor recommends?" Having a discussion with different people, they've expressed their reasonings behind why they don't follow up with the doctors'orders. For those patients, they'd rather die without knowing if something is life-threatening.

What if you knew statistics of various illnesses? For example, March is Colorectal Rectal Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that 52,550 people are estimated to die this year from Colorectal Cancer? More than 153,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. Also, African Americans have the second highest incidence and mortality rate than others. According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, this particular type of cancer is even on the rise amongst younger individuals.

This is why attending your yearly appointments and taking the test that your doctor recommends is so important. When it comes to colorectal cancer, getting screened increases your chances of early detection. If and when caught at an early stage, treatment can be more manageable and treatable. It may not be an automatic death sentence with the help of science.

The purpose of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is to highlight the importance of screening. In addition to promoting a healthier lifestyle, certain habits we pick up into adulthood increases or decreasesa person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. An active lifestyle, getting your physical exercise and eating well, a diet high in fruits and veggies can reduce the risk. Whereas, bad habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking tobacco, and obesity has been linked to colorectal cancer.

Now you may be thinking about attending that appointment or calling your doctor to follow-up. Who should get screened? Essentially everyone should get tested for colorectal cancer. On average, you should begin screening at the age of 45. However, there are various factors that can change that age to a younger age such as family history, if you are experiencing symptoms, are African American, had a personal history of cancer or if you have an irritable bowel disease.

In case you are wondering what are signs or what does symptoms look like here is a list. If you are experiencing any of these, you want to contact your doctor quickly.

•Fatigue and/or Weakness

•Bowel habits have changed

•Constant Abdominal Discomfort

(cramps, gas or pain, nausea and vomiting)

•Bleeding From Rectum

•Weight Loss that cannot be explained

Being a colorectal cancer survivor comes with responsibility. Sharing your time, story, join a support group or become an advocate can help uplift someone else and may possibly even help save their life. You just never know!

For more information on Colorectal Cancer, speak with your doctor or search online for Colorectal Cancer Alliance or visit http://www.cdc.gov .