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Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.

In recent years (1995-1999), the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer has stayed about the same, but the number of people who die from colorectal cancer has decreased. Colorectal cancer is found more often in men than in women.

Studies show that screening for colorectal cancer decreases the number of deaths from this disease.

Age and health history can affect the risk of developing colon cancer.

Anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include the following:

Being older than 50 years of age.
Having a personal history of any of the following:
- Colorectal cancer or adenomas.
- Cancer of the ovary, endometrium, or breast.
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
Having a parent, brother, sister, or child with colorectal cancer or adenomas.
Having certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch Syndrome).