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What Is Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a common cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon). It starts as growths in your colon (polyps) that can become cancer over time.
Colon cancer often doesn’t show symptoms until it has become very large or spread to other areas of the body. If you do show symptoms, they might include blood in your stool, weight loss, fatigue, or changes in your bowel movements.
Learn about colon cancer.
Colon cancer often doesn’t show symptoms until it has become very large or spread to other areas of the body. If you do show symptoms, they might include blood in your stool, weight loss, fatigue, or changes in your bowel movements.
Learn about colon cancer.
Prevention & Screening
You can lower your risk for colon cancer by eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. The best way to prevent colon cancer is to undergo recommended colonoscopies (tests to look for colon cancer) starting at age 45.
Doctors can remove polyps during colonoscopies, before they are cancer. That’s why screening colonoscopies are so important. They are the only cancer screening that actually prevents cancer.
Learn about prevention & screening.
Doctors can remove polyps during colonoscopies, before they are cancer. That’s why screening colonoscopies are so important. They are the only cancer screening that actually prevents cancer.
Learn about prevention & screening.
Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose colon cancer by taking samples of colon tissue during a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy uses a specialized camera to examine the inside of your colon. A pathologist will look at the colon tissue under a microscope to identify cancer cells.
You might also need imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, to ensure your cancer hasn’t spread to other areas of your pelvis or abdomen. CT scans use multiple X-ray images to create a 3-D picture of your body.
Learn about colon cancer diagnosis.
You might also need imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, to ensure your cancer hasn’t spread to other areas of your pelvis or abdomen. CT scans use multiple X-ray images to create a 3-D picture of your body.
Learn about colon cancer diagnosis.
Colon Cancer Treatment
You will likely receive a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for your colon cancer. If your cancer is small or only in your colon, a surgeon can remove all or part of your colon to get rid of cancer.
If your cancer is large or has spread further, you might need chemotherapy before surgery. Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells and shrink cancer, making surgery easier. Radiation therapy uses targeted radiation, like X-rays, to shrink and destroy cancer.
Learn about colon cancer treatment.
If your cancer is large or has spread further, you might need chemotherapy before surgery. Chemotherapy uses medicine to destroy cancer cells and shrink cancer, making surgery easier. Radiation therapy uses targeted radiation, like X-rays, to shrink and destroy cancer.
Learn about colon cancer treatment.