Colon Cancer

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Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon). The colon is the final part of the digestive tract.

Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. It usually begins as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers.

Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.

Source of information: www.mayoclinic.org

Colon cancer statistics:

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States for 2024 are:

About 106,590 new cases of colon cancer (54,210 in men and 52,380 in women)
About 46,220 new cases of rectal cancer (27,330 in men and 18,890 in women)

Source of information: www.cancer.org