Harry Radliffe II was the first African-American to head a CBS News bureau and an award-winning 60 Minutes producer for 26 years

Harry Radliffe II, the first African American to head a CBS News bureau and an award-winning 60 Minutes producer for 26 years, died today. Radliffe was 66 and died at his home in Stamford, Conn., of colon cancer he was first diagnosed with in 2008. This serves as a reminder that colon cancer can strike anyone, and that early detection is key.

Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Overall, the lifetime risk for developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 (5%).

It can take many years (as many as 10 to 15) for a polyp to develop into colorectal cancer. Regular screening can prevent many cases of colorectal cancer altogether by finding and removing certain types of polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when it is highly curable.

Read more about the life of Harry Radliffe II in the CBSnews.com article posted on December 1, 2015.