What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal Cancer is cancer of the colon (the large bowel or large intestine) and the rectum. Colorectal cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. For reasons that are not fully understood, these polyps may become cancerous. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually and an estimated 50,000 die, most of them unnecessarily. Sadly, over 15,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed under the recommended screening age of 50 each year.
Even as the second leading cause of cancer in the United States for men and women combined, colorectal cancer is one of the most curable cancers, when detected at an early stage.
Colorectal Cancer Facts
- A low-fat diet high in vegetables and fruits and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
- Beginning at age 50, men and women should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer - screening tests are not painful, and are often covered by Medicare and many health insurers.
- Regular screening tests may detect pre-cancerous polyps. Removal of these may prevent cancer from developing.
- When detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate is over 90%.
- It is important to get a colonoscopy if you have symptoms at any age.
- Colonoscopy is one of the most effective screening procedures which can find and remove colon polyps, preventing colorectal cancer before it starts.
Colorectal cancer is preventable and easier to treat when detected early. Talk with your healthcare provider about what kind of screening test is right for you.
In the News
- Colonoscopies Go HD... Fans around the world are watching sports in High Definition. Now doctors are also using HD technology in screening for colon cancer.
- CBS's Harry Smith Undergoes Televised Colonoscopy... CBS Early Show anchor Harry Smith shared his colonoscopy experience live with TV viewers on March 10th.
- We Survived Colon Cancer... Survivors Katie and Robert Hendrickson tell their story to AOL Health.
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