About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal, forming a tumor. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. When colorectal cancer is detected early, survival rates dramatically improve.
Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Colorectal cancer is often highly treatable. If detected and treated early, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%. But because many people are not getting tested, only about 4 in 10 are diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
Regular screening can prevent colorectal cancer altogether. This is because some polyps, or growths, can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. Learn more about screenings for colorectal cancer.
To schedule a screening, please call our access line at 877-313-0503.
- Age over 50
- Alcohol consumption (one or more drinks/day)
- Diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in animal fat
- Family or personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Obesity
- Race – research suggests African Americans and Hispanics are at a greater risk
- Tobacco use
Precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer do not always cause symptoms, especially at first. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Some people with colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer do have symptoms. They may include:
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
- Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away
- Unexplained or sudden weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician right away.
For more information about colorectal cancer and its treatment, please visit our Health Library.
