National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - March

Colon Cancer At A Glance :

• Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine.
• Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males, fourth in females in the U.S.
• Risk factors for colorectal cancer include heredity, colon polyps, and long standing ulcerative colitis.
• Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps. Removal of colon polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.
• Colon polyps and early cancer can have no symptoms. Therefore regular screening is important.
• Diagnosis of colorectal cancer can be made by barium enema or by colonoscopy with biopsy confirmation of cancer tissue.
• Treatment of colorectal cancer depends on the location, size, and extent of cancer spread, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.

source: http://www.medicinenet.com/