What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer in the colon and/or rectum, or both. As the graphic below shows, the colon is part of the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Most colorectal cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that may later become cancerous if they are not removed.

Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is very treatable when it is discovered early. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is very effective. In the most advanced  cases — when the cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, or other sites — treatment can often make surgery an option, and can prolong and add to quality of life. Research is constantly being done to learn more and provide hope for people in all colorectal cancer stages.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer death. It affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people 50 years or older. However incidence in those younger than 50 is on the rise. This disease takes the lives of more than 50,000 people every year; we’re here to educate people on how to prevent this disease and lower that statistic.

Share the information you learn. Together we can end colorectal cancer within our lifetime.