The Colon and Rectal Screening Program at WU aims to provide colonoscopies to those without insurance and offer education about the disease, which has a higher incidence rate in men and African-Americans.

In Missouri, about two-thirds of people over 50 have had a screening, Wise says. “It’s better than what you’d think but not as good as you like.”

He cites access and procrastination as the biggest deterrents. For the past three years, Washington U. has received a grant from the Colon Cancer Alliance to expand its screening and outreach efforts.

The Colon Cancer Alliance, based in Washington, was founded in 1999 with a goal of raising awareness and funding to research, screen for and treat colon cancer.

“At the time, there was no organization dedicated to colon cancer,” says CEO Michael Sapienza. “It’s vastly underfunded compared to other cancers that are less deadly.

“One of our goals is that people talk about this and are open about it,” he says. March has been designated as Colon Cancer Awareness Month with a blue star as its symbol. It’s not quite as ubiquitous as breast cancer’s pink ribbon, but it’s getting there.