Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Furthermore, many cancer cases and deaths occur needlessly, as they could be prevented if more people took advantage of colon cancer screening. Screening and early detection saves lives.

Understanding Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer is cancer of the colon (the large bowel or large intestine) and the rectum. Colon cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. For reasons that are not fully understood, these polyps may become cancerous. According to the National Colon Cancer Research Alliance, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer annually. Even as the second leading cause of cancer in the United States for men and women combined, colon cancer is one of the most curable cancers when detected at an early stage.

Discover more facts about colon cancer.

What are the Risk Factors for Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer can affect anyone – men or women – and your risk increases with age. Some people are at great risk for the disease than others, they include:

• People with a personal or family history of colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's Disease.
• People with a personal or family history of colon, ovarian, endometrial, breast or some other cancers of the GI tract or the female reproductive system.
• People of African-American descent, who are often diagnosed at a later stage of the disease and who should start screening at an earlier age.
• Men and women age 50 or older.

Take our Risk Assessment to see if YOU are at risk for colon cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer? 

The following are the most common symptoms of colon cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

• The most common symptom of colon cancer is having no symptoms at all.
• Feeling of bloated or full in the stomach.
• A change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days.
• Having gas pains.
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, which is often visable.
• Cramping or stomach pain.
• Decreased appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Losing weight when you are not trying to.

The symptoms of colon cancer may resemble other conditions, such as infections, hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease. It is possible to have colon cancer and not have any symptoms.