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Colon Cancer
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Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. It almost always starts with non-cancerous growths (called polyps) that develop on the lining of the colon and rectum.[4]
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men. All men (and women) older than 50 should be screened regularly for colon cancer.[5] Colon cancer is, in almost all cases, a treatable disease if caught early. Removal of pre-cancerous polyps by colonoscopy essentially prevents colon cancer.[6] Colon cancer is most likely to be cured if it is removed early, before it has spread. Cancers that have grown deeply or through the wall of the colon have often spread, even if metastases (spread) cannot be detected.[7] Colon cancer is preventable if precancerous polyps are found and removed. And if colon cancer is found and treated at an early stage, it can almost always be cured, with a 90 percent five-year survival rate.[8] Colon cancer isn't an overnight killer. Take time to get the best information and resources.
Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Epidemiological evidence has shown that a diet high in fat and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber contributes to the development of the disease.[10] Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women. When caught early, the five-year survival rate is 91 percent.[11] Colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. This disease is more common in people over the age of 50.[12] Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is expected to cause about 52,180 deaths (26,000 men and 26,180 women) during 2007. The good news is that this number has decreased.[13]
Colon cancer is considered stage 0 when it hasn't moved from where it started; it's still restricted to the innermost lining of the colon. Learn more about stage 0 colon cancer.[14] Colon cancer is often fatal if the cancer cells have spread unchecked through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to adjacent and/or distant tissues. Colorectal cancer has a strong tendency to metastasize to the liver, which represents the leading cause of death for people with the disease. Colon cancer is found most frequently in wealthy countries, where people eat rich foods consisting predominately of meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, vegetable oils, white bread and other refined grains, and highly processed foods. On the other hand, people following diets providing plentiful amounts of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and with very little in the way of meats and dairy products, develop few cases of colon cancer.[16] Colon Cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn?t have to be. If everyone age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of the deaths from Colon Cancer could be avoided. Colon cancer is diagnosed in about 150,000 people every year in the United States. Standard treatment is surgery and chemotherapy, though about 50,000 people die from the disease every year.[18]
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