Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. An estimated 57,100 people will die of the disease, accounting for 10 percent of cancer deaths in 2003. Colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as “colon” cancer) develops in the colon or rectum. The colon (sometimes called the “large bowel”) is part of the digestive tract, where food is processed to create energy and rid the body of waste matter. Before a cancer develops, there often are earlier changes in the lining of the colon or rectum. One type of change is a growth of tissue called a polyp. Removing the polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer. The five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90 percent for people whose colon cancer is found and treated at an early stage. But only 37 percent of colon cancers are found at that early stage. Once the cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate goes down to 65 percent. For people whose colon cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs, the five-year survival rate is 9 percent. Risk factors While the exact cause of colon cancer is not known, there are certain known risk factors that increase a person’s chance of getting the disease. They include, but are not limited to: o Age: About nine out of 10 people with colon cancer are older than 50. o Race: African American men and women have higher colon cancer incidence and mortality rates than men and women of other racial and ethnic groups. o A personal history of colon cancer: People who have had colon cancer earlier may develop new cancers in other areas of the colon and rectum. o A personal history of intestinal polyps: Certain types of polyps increase the risk of colon cancer, especially if they are large or if there are many of them. o A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis): The colon is inflamed over a long period of time and may have ulcers in its lining. Colon cancer occurs more often and at an earlier age in men and women who have been diagnosed with these conditions. o A family history of colon cancer or intestinal polyps: People who have a history of either colon cancer or polyps in any first-degree relative (e.g., father, mother, brother, or sister) before age 60, or in two or more relatives at any age, have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. o Smoking or use of other tobacco products o Physical inactivity o Diet: A diet made up mostly of foods that are high in fat, especially from animal sources, can increase the risk of colon cancer. Reduce your risk Even though the exact cause of colon cancer is not known, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk: o Know your family history. If colon cancer runs in your family, you may need to be tested earlier and more often. o Avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products. o Get plenty of exercise. Even small amounts of exercise on a regular basis can be helpful. o Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods, and limit the intake of high-fat foods. o Follow the testing guidelines set by the American Cancer Society. Testing can find precancerous polyps. Removing these polyps can prevent most colon cancers. Testing also can help detect colon cancer early, when the chances for successful treatment are greatest. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call your local public health agency or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org. Adapted from materials from the American Cancer Society.
