Colon Cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. It affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older.
Colon Cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Abnormal growths, called polyps, often times form in the colon or rectum. Over time, these may turn into cancer. Screening tests can help find the polyps early, before they turn into cancer.
-Your risk factor for colon cancer increases as you get older. Other factors include:
-Lifestyle factors that may increase risk of colon cancer:
There are three ways to screen for colon cancer:
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Recommended every 5 years)
Your doctor uses a camera to look for polyps in the rectum and the lower third of the colon.
Your doctor uses a camera which is attached to a long, thin tube to look for polyps in the rectum and the entire colon.
Colon Cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States (CDC)