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What is a Good Gut Health Diet? Fast Facts A healthy diet and a healthy gut are more closely linked to lower colon cancer rates and better survival than any other type of cancer. A diet low in fiber but high in processed foods, refined sugar, and red meat can […]

Noninvasive Alternatives to Colonoscopy Fast Facts: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for detecting colon cancer and precancerous polyps. Only about 60% of people who should be getting screened for colon cancer are currently up to date. Noninvasive options to colonoscopy include stool tests, radiology tests, and a new blood test. […]

Doctors Find A New Clue About What’s Causing Colon Cancer in Young People Fast Facts: Colon cancer rates are rising in people under 50 years old, but going down in older people. Younger people are more likely to have more advanced, and more aggressive, cancer than older people at the […]

How Do I get a Free Colonoscopy and Other Frequently Asked Questions Here at CheckIt4Andretti, we’re on a mission to wipe out colon cancer. Part of that mission is to  raise awareness and make colonoscopies more accessible to uninsured and underinsured people. Knowing your risk factors, paying attention to any […]

Some Types of Dietary Fiber May Fight Colon Cancer Fast Facts: Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. You should aim to get about 30g of fiber from whole foods every day. Resistant starch is a special type of fiber that helps fight colon cancer by feeding healthy […]

Inaugural CheckIt4Andretti PickleBall Tournament is a Great Success CheckIt4Andretti’s Inaugural PickleBall Tournament, in memory of racing legend, John Andretti, was held on March 1 and 2 at the Carolina PickleBall Club in Kannapolis, NC. The tournament’s sponsors included: Republic Airways, title sponsor; Hyde Park Storage Suites, Silver Sponsor; Ginkgo Residential, […]

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r2V3MDEQTk Fast Facts Fast Facts: This month marks the 25th anniversary of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  You can help raise awareness by sharing our blog on social media, taking the Risk Assessment Quiz on our website, signing up for our newsletter and letting your […]

Mom Genes: How Your Family History Affects Colon Cancer Risk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5lGsb655Bs Fast Facts People with a first degree relative (parent, son, daughter or sibling) diagnosed with colon cancer before age 60 have an increased risk of getting colon cancer. The risk can be twice that of someone without relatives diagnosed […]

Rectal Cancer vs. Anal Cancer: What’s the difference and why does it matter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIbViqFES8A&t=57s Fast Facts Rectal cancer and anal cancer are completely different types of cancer, although they happen close together in the body Rectal cancer is more closely related to colon cancer (colorectal cancer) and anal cancer is […]

Assessing Your Risk: How to Use the Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool Effectively https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jSum-Tr3BY Fast Facts: Colorectal Cancer is the second deadliest cancer for men and women combined. Knowing your risk means you can get screened earlier. Research shows that effective screening catches colon cancer early, when it’s most curable. […]

Eating Healthy Over the Holidays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn_xUwP1XD0 Fast Facts: Most Americans gain 2-5 pounds over the holiday season and being overweight is closely linked to an increased risk for colon cancer. Substituting locally grown, brightly-colored, whole fruits and vegetables in place of highly processed, sugary and fatty foods can help fight […]

500 Breakfast Club Third Annual Golf Outing Benefits CheckIt4Andretti Foundation CheckIt4Andretti was honored to be the beneficiary of the 500 Breakfast Club’s 3rd Annual Golf Outing on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The group is made up of interested Indycar open wheel enthusiasts and meets for breakfast the first Saturday of […]

CheckIt4Andretti Patient and Partners Featured in UICC’s Series Rewriting Cancer Produced by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ieDAF9dI4&t=1s The CheckIt4Andretti Foundation is honored to have one of its healthcare partners and one of our patients featured in UICC’s series Rewriting Cancer produced by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions. The series launched on September […]

Tummy Troubles: Could it be IBS, Colon Cancer or Something Else? Fast Facts Colorectal cancer (CRC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) share many of the same symptoms and can be confused for each other. After CRC and IBD are ruled out using lab tests or colonoscopy, […]

FDA Approves Blood Test for Colon and Rectal Cancer Fast Facts The Shield test by Guardant Health is a new blood test for colon and rectal cancers (colorectal cancer) which detects cancer DNA (cfDNA) circulating in the blood. Shield is very sensitive for detecting Stage II, III, IV colorectal cancers, […]

Breaking Down Colon Cancer Statistics: Catch it early to keep the odds in your favor Fast Facts Colorectal cancer( CRC) is the second deadliest cancer in men and women in the US. 1 in 24 people will be diagnosed with CRC at some point in their life. And over 50,000 […]

Fast Facts: There are multiple tests to screen for colon and rectal cancer. Some simple tests check for cancer markers or blood in the stool (stool-based tests). More high-tech tests involve doing a CT scan. And recently, a new blood test (a ctDNA or liquid biopsy test) has been developed.  […]

Fast Facts: ` You might not realize it right now, but your life will most likely be touched by colorectal cancer. Colon cancer statistics are alarming- and they’re only getting worse, especially for younger people. The American Cancer Society states that about 1 in 25 Americans will be diagnosed with […]

Fast Facts: If you’ve been reading CheckIt4Andretti’s blog, you already know that colon cancer screening can save lives. You also probably know that gastroenterologists recommend getting screened starting at age 45. Many people mistakenly think that colon cancer screening is too inconvenient, embarrassing or unpleasant, so they just never get […]

CheckIt4Andretti is proud to collaborate with Polymedco, the producer of OC-Auto FIT and a fellow partner in the mission to expand access to screening. By promoting yearly FIT, Polymedco is working to make screening more effective, accessible, and affordable. OC-Auto FIT: PRIMARY RECOMMENDED METHOD FOR ANNUAL SCREENING IN AVERAGE-RISK ADULTS 45-75:1 […]

CheckIt4Andretti is proud to collaborate with Polymedco, the producer of OC-Auto FIT and a fellow partner in the mission to enhance access to screening. By promoting yearly FIT, Polymedco is working to make screening more effective, accessible, and affordable. THE IMPORTANCE OF SCREENING What is colon cancer? Colon cancer starts […]

March has been designated Colon Cancer Awareness Month. March 12 would have been racing legend John Andretti’s 61st birthday. Colon cancer claims the lives of over 50,000 Americans every year. This includes legends like John Andretti, Chadwick Boseman, Charles Schultz, Audrey Hepburn and Kirstie Alley. In 2000, President Bill Clinton […]

Having Fun and Saving Lives! AIKG gives customers an opportunity to celebrate good times and make memories with family and friends. By participating in the round up campaign, customers are also able to help save lives. Every penny raised from the round up campaign has been donated to CheckIt4Andretti Charitable […]

The CheckIt4Andretti Foundation was honored to receive the 2023 Fred and Alice Stanback Silent Angel Award The award is given annually by The Community Care Clinic of Rowan County (CCCRC) to recognize an individual or organization that embodies the legacy of Fred and Alice Stanback. The Stanbacks dedicate their lives […]

Fast Facts: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the US. And colon cancer is on the rise in younger people. Last year the CDC recommended dropping the age to get your first screening from 50 to 45. Screening tests, such as a colonoscopy, have […]

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the US. When it’s caught early, colon cancer has a greater than 90% survival rate. Screening tests like colonoscopies help catch colon cancer in its earliest stages. That’s when it’s most curable.

Fast Facts: “The most common symptom of colon cancer is no symptoms.” That’s what doctors have thought for years. But a new study published in a leading cancer journal suggests otherwise. At least for people younger than 50. Doctors at Washington University School of Medicine looked at 27,000 people younger […]

Q: What do these celebrities have in common? Race car driver, John Andretti (age 56). Actor, Chadwick Boseman (age 43). Actress, Jeanette Maus (age 39). And TikTok star “Enkyboys” dad, Randy Gonzalez (age 35).  A: Sadly, they’re all part of a growing trend. Each of them was diagnosed with colon […]

Fast Facts In the last article we discussed how people are getting colon cancer at a younger age. The thing many young people who get colon cancer have in common is that they have an unhealthy balance of bacteria in their guts.  The gut microbiome is made up of all […]

Fast Facts: Does it seem like you know more and more people getting diagnosed with colon cancer? If it does, you’re not alone. And the people you hear about getting diagnosed are probably younger than you might expect them to be. Early onset colorectal cancer is colon or rectal cancer […]

Fast Facts: A lot of people have the idea that getting screened for colon cancer is messy or embarrassing. Or kind of gross. Some people may think they don’t need to get screened because they are perfectly healthy. Or maybe they just don’t have any risk factors. Whatever your reason […]

“At age 53, John Andretti was the picture of health – still fit from a career in Motorsports, swearing he would always race again and never officially retiring. He was the last person anyone expected to receive a cancer diagnosis, but in January of 2017, his colonoscopy came back positive for cancerous polyps. His diagnosis made him face the decision of either fighting the disease privately or announcing it to the public. He decided that, although this diagnosis is devastating, he would use it to bring awareness to the disease, advocating for proper screening and early detection,” reads the home page of the Checkit4Andretti Foundation. Sadly, John died in January 2020, but his family continues his legacy through the foundation and advocacy work.

Fast Facts: In addition to getting screened, other ways to reduce your risk of getting colon cancer include: staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding processed foods, alcohol and tobacco products. How can I avoid getting colon cancer? Over 75% of people who get colon cancer have no identifiable […]

2022 has been an amazing year for CheckIt4Andretti.org! John Andretti’s life and legacy continues to motivate and inspire his family, friends and fans to help those in need. Since achieving 501c3 status in March of 2021, CheckIt4Andretti has established partnerships with NorthEast Digestive Health and The Free and Charitable Clinics […]

Most of us know someone who has battled colon cancer. It’s the third most common type of cancer in the US. And it’s the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined. Even though colon cancer happens so often, doctors still don’t know exactly what causes […]

March 12, 2022 would have been John Andretti’s 59th Birthday. March also happens to be Colon Cancer Awareness month. To honor John’s legacy, his family started the CheckIt4Andretti Charitable Foundation forging a unique partnership model with NE Digestive Health in Concord, NC and the Free and Charitable Clinics of North […]

My doctor advises that I get a colonoscopy every five years due to a strong family history of the disease.  I had postponed making the appointment  due to the pandemic, a new job, an ailing father, and other commitments.  I had heard of the Andretti family, and specifically, John, through […]

A lot of people want to know “the most likely age” a disease might happen. Getting screened, eating healthy, exercising and minimizing alcohol and tobacco can take some of the joy out of life. Especially if a disease might not strike until later in life. You might think of colon […]

Every American between the ages of 45-75 should be screened for colon cancer. In the last post we talked about how screening tests are used to check for signs of colon cancer before you have any symptoms. Now we’re going to look at the different types of screening tests and […]

There is a lot of confusion about when is the right age to get screened for colon cancer. As a matter of fact, even the experts differed on the best age to recommend screening. That’s why they turned to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This is a group […]

When John Andretti was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017 at the age of 53, he was healthy and active. John had a lot of questions so he turned to experts for answers. John fought valiantly. He went through surgeries, chemotherapy and even tried experimental treatments. But because of the […]

Cancer is one of the scariest words you can ever hear. Nothing will shock you more than when you get that call from the doctor. On November 4th of 2021, I got that call. Life was great! I was 43 years old and in solid health with-an amazing wife and […]

As I was in full preparation mode at a work event, I heard my text alert go off as it often does right in the middle of my busiest moments, BUT this time what I read literally stopped me in my tracks…it was from John. “Just got a call from […]

My love of auto racing was sparked when Mario Andretti signed a napkin for me when I was just two-years-old. Until this year, I have never missed an Indy 500 and have sat through rain, heat, tornados, and two pregnancies to watch my favorite sport. That signature from Mario has […]

CheckIt4Andretti, Northeast Digestive rev up colorectal cancer battle with plan to give diagnostic screenings to high-risk, low-income group Efforts of racing legend’s foundation improve chances of early detection, survival CONCORD, N.C. (March 15, 2022) – Since his tragic death from colorectal cancer in January 2020, John Andretti’s family has been […]

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We want to thank everyone who showed up to DC Prime to support CheckIt4Andretti. Although the weather hampered the event, it was a huge success that supported a much-needed cause. Many beautiful cars showed up and showed their “Bling”. Our judges, including professional driver Jarett Andretti, awarded prizes for the […]

I didn’t get my first colonoscopy until the age of 56. Fear of the unknown. But my husband and I are big USAC, & especially The Andretti’s fans. John was my motivation to get my first colonoscopy. I had no polyps, what a blessing. There is nothing scary about a […]

You shop. Amazon GIVES, to the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation! Go here to start making your Amazon purchase donation-ready and we’ll receive 0.5% towards our mission–such a quick and easy way to help us help others!

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that is found in the colon and rectum that begins with polyps found in the lining of the colon and rectum.

Colorectal cancer’s causes are unknown but there are risks that are inherited and come from different lifestyle factors. Smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity may place someone at larger risk for colorectal cancer. Genetic factors could increase a person’s susceptibility to the disease.

It is the third most common cancer and there are more than 150,000 new cases in the United States each year. 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Colon cancer, often called a “silent disease,” develops gradually and may not show symptoms until it has progressed significantly. This lack of early warning signs makes awareness of potential indicators critical for timely detection and treatment. Understanding the common signs of colon cancer can make a life-saving difference, as early […]

Men and women over the age of 50 are at almost an equal risk of developing colorectal cancer. Those who have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

If you are 45 or older, you should talk to your doctor about yearly screenings.  These screenings can identify polyps and allow time for the removal of precancerous polyps to prevent the future development of cancer. Early screening is the best way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.

A polyp is a group of cells that form on the lining of the colon. These polyps are typically removed. It is important to find the polyps early before they develop into cancerous cells.

There are two main ways a polyp is removed. The first being using an electrical current to destroy the polyp and the other being to use a wire loop to snare and remove the polyp.

Doctors can diagnose colon cancer in a few different ways. This may include blood and stool tests, CAT scans, PET scans, and the most common being a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy allows doctors to detect changes or see abnormalities in the colon and rectum. During the procedure a long flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. A small video camera on the end of the tube allows doctors to view the interior of the colon to detect any abnormalities.

Your doctor will prescribe you a pre procedure prep kit to help clear out your colon before the procedure. Your doctor will also give you detailed instructions on what to eat the day before and the morning of your procedure.