Colon cancer is one of the top two cancers that affects both men and women in Manitoba.

With March being Colon Cancer Awareness Month the Central Regional Health Authority is reminding people of the risks and spreading awareness. Dr. Denis Fortier Vice President of Medical Services for the CRHA says Colon Check Manitoba has been sending out kits in our region which involves sending samples to Winnipeg to be tested. Fortier notes the older you are the more likely you will be affected by colon cancer and they've targeted the age of 50 for screening. He adds if you smoke, drink alcohol, and make poor lifestyle choices that increases your chances and people who have ulcerative colitis, crones, or inflammatory bowl disease are also at a higher risk.