Colon Cancer Information

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is most common in men and women over the age of 50. It is also one of the most preventable cancers with early diagnosis. The cancer begins in either the colon or the rectum.

Both are part of the digestive tract, where food and water rid the body of waste material. Colorectal cancers usually develop slowly over a period of several years and can develop in any of the four sections of the rectum. Before a true cancer develops, there are often 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. Risk factors for developing colorectal cancer include family history, physical inactivity, obesity, eating red meat, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Stages

Stage I – The polyp has developed into a tumor and extends into the wall of the colon.

Stage II – The cancer has spread to the tissue around the colon but has not advanced into the lymph nodes.

Stage III – The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes but has not spread to other organs in the body.

Stage IV – The cancer has spread to other organs in the body.

Stage V or recurrent – Cancer that has been treated but has returned to the colon or to another part of the body.