March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time that calls attention to what experts say is an extraordinarily preventable disease. Gastroenterologists say patients are finding it easier to prepare for a screening colonoscopy because of newer bowel preparations that taste better, use less fluid volume and are done closer to the procedure time. And it’s worth the effort, they say. “If you catch it while it’s still in the lining of the colon, survival is 90 percent. If it’s gone through the wall of the colon into the lymph nodes or distant organs, the prognosis is very poor,” said Dr. Robert Schade. The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.) (2/23)