Christy Fry: Celebrating health with service

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. Unlike most cancers, colorectal cancer is often preventable with screening and highly treatable when detected early.

Christy Fry: Celebrating health with service

Colorectal cancer by the numbers

#4

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. among men and women combined.

150K

Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

90%

With early detection, colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate.

Common symptoms of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer often develops without symptoms. When they occur, they may include the following.

Rectal bleeding

Blood in or on your stool is a symptom of rectal cancer and colon cancer. The blood can be bright red, or the stool may be black and tarry or brick red.

Changing bowel habits

Changing bowel habits may include intermittent or constant diarrhea and/or constipation, a change in the consistency of your stool, or stools that are more narrow than usual.

Persistent abdominal discomfort

Abdominal discomfort may present as cramps, gas, or pain. You may also feel full, bloated, or like your bowel is not completely empty. Nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms.

Unexplained weight loss

A loss of weight for no known reason should always be investigated. Nausea and/or vomiting are also possible symptoms.

illustration of colon

What is the difference between colon and rectal cancer?

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have a lot in common—including symptoms—but they are different, depending on where they originate.

Stages of colorectal cancer

Staging is the process doctors use to find out if cancer has spread within the colon/rectum or to other parts of the body. Staging is important because it helps determine the best treatment plan.

Polyp growth

Colorectal cancer often begins with a polyp, an abnormal growth of tissue inside the colon or the rectum. Not all polyps are cancerous, but there is no way to tell which ones will develop into cancer. It's always best to remove polyps to prevent cancer from developing. 

Stage 0

Colon cancer: This is the earliest stage. Cancer has not moved from where it started—it's still restricted to the innermost lining of the colon.

Rectal cancer: Abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the rectum. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue.

Stage I

Colon cancer: Cancer is still in the inner lining but has grown through the mucosa of the colon and invaded the muscle layer.

Rectal cancer: Cancer has formed and spread beyond the innermost lining of the rectum to the second and third layers and involves the inside wall of the rectum, but it has not spread to the outer wall of the rectum or outside the rectum.

Stage II

Colon cancer: Cancer has spread through the colon wall but has not spread to the regional lymph nodes.

Rectal cancer: Cancer has spread outside the rectum to nearby tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes.

Stage III

Colon cancer: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes near the colon, but it has not spread further.

Rectal cancer: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it has not spread to other parts of the body.

Stage IV

Colon cancer: The cancer has spread outside of the colon and has been carried through the lymph and blood systems to distant parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. The most likely organs to develop metastasis from colorectal cancer are the lungs and liver.

Rectal cancer: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or ovaries.

diverse group of people

Health equity in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer impacts some demographics more than others. For instance, Black Americans face significantly higher death rates from colorectal cancer than white Americans. Other disparities exist that must be addressed to end colorectal cancer for everyone.

Colorectal cancer is beatable with early detection

Screening is the #1 way you can prevent colon cancer and rectal cancer. They're also highly treatable if caught early. That’s why on-time screening is essential and lifesaving.

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