Taking Back Our Power: A Story About Colon Health, Community Strength, and Returning to Our Roots
Across Native communities, people have begun noticing something that doesn’t sit right: colorectal cancer rates are rising. Not just among Elders, but among younger adults too. It’s a trend that has left many wondering, why is this happening? And more importantly, what can we do about it?
The truth is that this increase isn’t because our bodies are failing us. It’s because the world around us has changed in ways our ancestors never had to face.
Today, many of us live with constant exposure to ultra‑processed foods, environmental toxins, and even microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic that end up in our water, soil, and food. These modern pressures create inflammation, disrupt our digestive systems, and increase cancer risk. Add in stress, limited access to traditional foods, and the loss of ancestral lands for hunting and gathering, and the picture becomes clearer: the rise in colorectal cancer is not a personal flaw. It’s a reflection of the world we’ve been forced to adapt to.
But here’s the part of the story that matters most:
We still have power.
A Story About All of Us
This isn’t a story about one person. It’s a story about many of us, people who are busy, caring for families, working long hours, and trying to stay healthy in a world that doesn’t always make that easy.
Some community members have a family history of colon cancer or other digestive cancers. Others don’t have any known risk factors at all. But colorectal cancer doesn’t always follow the rules. It can affect people with high risk, low risk, or no known risk.
And that’s why awareness matters.
That’s why screening matters.
That’s why you matter.
When we understand what’s happening in our bodies and in our environment, we can make choices that protect our health. We can take back control in a world that often tries to take it away.
Why Increased Rates and Returning to Indigenous Ways of Eating
Rising colorectal cancer rates don’t have a single cause; instead, several modern factors are contributing to the trend. Ultra‑processed foods, stripped of nutrients and filled with additives can disrupt gut health and increase inflammation. Environmental toxins in our soil, water, and air also affect digestive health over time. Microplastics, now found in seafood, drinking water, and even the air we breathe, are being studied for their potential role in inflammation and cancer risk.
At the same time, many Indigenous communities have experienced a loss of traditional food systems. Our ancestors ate whole foods from the land and water, berries, roots, fish, shellfish, wild game, and plants; foods rich in fiber, minerals, and protective compounds and colon cancer were rare. Modern stress and lifestyle changes add another layer, pulling many of us away from the rhythms that once supported our wellness. None of these factors are our fault but understanding them helps us reclaim our power.
Before colonization, Indigenous diets were naturally protective against colon cancer, grounded in nutrient‑dense foods from the land and water. Even though access to ancestral lands has changed, the teachings remain. We can still honor traditional ways of eating by choosing whole foods when possible, increasing fiber‑rich foods, cooking meals that reflect our cultural roots, supporting local food sovereignty efforts, growing what we can, and sharing food knowledge across generations. Every small step is a meaningful step toward wellness.
Screening Is Strength, Not Fear!
Whether you have a family history or not, screening is one of the most powerful tools we have. Early detection saves lives. And today, screening doesn’t always require a colonoscopy. There are at‑home tests like Cologuard that can be done privately and easily.
Screening is not about expecting the worst.
It’s about protecting your future.
It’s about being here for your children, grandchildren, and community.
It’s about taking back your power.
You’re Invited: Let’s Talk About It Together
To support our community in taking back our health, the Skokomish Health and Wellness Program is hosting a:
Colon Cancer Awareness Brunch
📅 Saturday, March 21
📍 Skokomish Community Center Gathering Room
🎉 Sponsored by SPIPA
We’ll have:
A delicious brunch
Raffles
The inflatable colon (a fun and educational walk‑through experience)
Speakers from Cancer and Health Champions
A Cologuard representative to talk about at‑home preventative testing
This isn’t just an event, it’s a chance to learn, connect, laugh, and support one another. Whether you’re at higher risk or simply want to stay healthy, you belong in this conversation.
Because the truth is simple:
Your health is your power. And it’s time to take it back.
