What Colorectal Cancer Is
Colon cancer is common but largely preventable if individuals over the age of 50 undergo regular colon screening. Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and reproduce uncontrollably. The abnormal growth forms a cancerous tumor. Fortunately this is a process that usually takes years, as most colorectal cancer begin as a tiny polyp and grows slowly. Removing a polyp usually prevents it from becoming cancer.
Facts About Colon Cancer
Following are some facts about colorectal cancer:
- According to the American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for 2009, there are approximately 106,100 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States, and an estimated 40,870 deaths from it.
- Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. About 1 in 19 (5.3%) Americans will develop colon cancer in their lifetime.
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. (Lung cancer is the first.)
- A arge portion of colon cancer deaths are preventable if individuals undergo regular colon screening. Only 20-30% of adults are appropriately screened but this one likely reason that the colon cancer death rate has been declining.
- 70% of colon cancer patients do not have a family history of colon cancer.
- People of all ethnic backgrounds are susceptible to colorectal cancer.