- Cancer is a disease process where abnormal cells grow and divide uncontrollably in the body.
- Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum.
- The colon and rectum are both parts of the digestive system. Specifically, they form the large intestine.
- Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States.
- Approximately 1 in 22 men and 1 in 24 women will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime.
- Over 140,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer and over 50,000 people die from colon cancer per year in the United States.
- Colon cancer is most often diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 75.
- In most cases, people with early colon cancer do not have symptoms.
- Screening tests are designed to find cancers before they cause symptoms.
- Many colon cancers and deaths can be prevented by increasing the use of established screening tests.
- Adults at average risk of developing colon cancer should begin screening at age 50.
- Some groups should begin screening earlier: African-Americans should have the first screening test at age 45. People with a family history of colon cancer should begin at age 40 or earlier.
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