Colorectal Cancer Info
What are colon and colorectal cancer?
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the lining of the colon (large intestine). It often begins as small, noncancerous growths called polyps that can slowly turn into cancer over years. When cancer arises in the rectum, it’s called rectal cancer; together they’re often referred to as colorectal cancer.
What are some common symptoms?
Symptoms (often absent early) include changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, narrower stools), blood in or on the stool, abdominal pain or cramping, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, iron-deficiency anemia.
What are risk factors are involved?
Being age 45 and older is a risk factor, family history or inherited syndromes (Lynch, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)), and personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease. Other risk factors include diets high in red/processed meats and low in fiber, obesity, inactivity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and Type 2 diabetes. Some groups (e.g., African Americans) have higher risk.
How do you screen for colon and colorectal cancer?
Most people should start at age 45. Options include colonoscopy (every 10 years if normal), stool tests like the Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT) yearly, FIT-DNA every 3 years, CT colonography every 5 years, or flexible sigmoidoscopy. A colonoscopy can remove polyps, preventing cancerous growth.
What are some preventative measures?
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating plenty of fruits/vegetables/whole grains, limiting red/processed meats and alcohol, and not smoking can all help prevent colon and colorectal cancer.
What are treatment options?
Depending on stage and location, surgery for localized disease is an option. Chemotherapy is sometimes added. Rectal cancers may also need radiation. Advanced disease may involve targeted therapy or immunotherapy in selected cases.
What is the outlook for colon and colorectal cancer?
The disease is highly curable when found early. A five-year survival is much higher for localized disease than for cancer that has spread, which is why screening is so important.
What are some important statistics for colorectal disease in the US?
It’s the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death when men and women are combined.
Lifetime risk is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women. (American Cancer Society, ACS 2024)
Age trends: Overall rates have fallen in older adults, but cases are rising in younger people; about 1 in 5 new diagnoses now occur before age 55, and incidence in people under 55 has been increasing by about 1–2% per year since the mid‑1990s. (ACS 2024)
Survival: Overall 5‑year relative survival is roughly 65%. By stage: localized ≈91%, regional ≈72%, distant ≈14%. (National Cancer Institute
SEER)
Stage at diagnosis: About 4 in 10 are found localized, ~1/3 regional, and ~1/5 distant. (NCI SEER)
Disparities: American Indian/Alaska Native people have the highest incidence and mortality; African Americans have among the highest mortality and are more often diagnosed at younger ages and later stages. (ACS 2024)
Screening: Recommended to start at age 45 for average risk. About 72% of adults 50–75 are up to date with screening, but only about 20–25% of adults 45–49 are; combining ages 45–75, about 59% are up to date. (CDC BRFSS 2022)
Prevalence: Roughly 1.5–1.6 million people in the U.S. are living with a history of colorectal cancer. (NCI)