Colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as "colon" cancer) develops in the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract. The digestive tract processes the food you eat and rids the body of solid waste matter. This cancer usually develops from precancerous changes or growths in the lining of these organs. These growths of tissue protruding into the colon or rectum are called polyps.

Overall, colon cancers are the third most common cancers in men and women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among African American men and women in the United States.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in Hispanic/Latino men and the second most common cancer in Hispanic/Latino women in the United States.

For 2003, an estimated 147,500 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States. Of these new cancer cases, 105,500 will be colon cancer, and 42,000 rectal cancer.

An estimated 57,100 men and women will die of this disease in 2003, accounting for 10 percent of cancer deaths this year in the United States.

African Americans have the highest death rate from colon cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in African American men and the third leading cause in African American women in the United States.

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Hispanic/Latino men and women in the United States.

Age: The risk of colon cancer increases with age. Nearly 90 percent of colon cancer patients are over the age of 50.

Race: African American men and women are at greater risk for developing and dying from colon cancer than men and women of other racial and ethnic groups.

According to the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of colon cancer, starting at age 50 both men and women should follow one of the following testing options:

Note: Flexible sigmoidoscopy together with FOBT is preferred when compared to FOBT or flexible sigmoidoscopy alone. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy. People with a family or personal history of colon cancer or polyps, or history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease should be tested earlier, and may need to undergo testing more often.

Surgery is the most common form of treatment for colon cancer. For cancers that have not spread, it frequently stops the disease.

Chemotherapy, or chemotherapy with radiation treatment, is given before or after surgery to most patients whose cancer has spread extensively into the bowel wall or to the lymph nodes.

A permanent colostomy (creation of an abdominal opening for elimination of body wastes) is very seldom needed for colon cancer and not often required for rectal cancer.

Surgery is the most common form of treatment for colon cancer. For cancers that have not spread, it frequently stops the disease.

Chemotherapy, or chemotherapy with radiation treatment, is given before or after surgery to most patients whose cancer has spread extensively into the bowel wall or to the lymph nodes.

Family History: A personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps increases the risk of cancer. People with a history of inflammatory bowel disease also may be at greater risk. In addition, there are a number of hereditary conditions that increase the risk of colon cancer, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), Gardner's syndrome, and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Use of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products

Physical Inactivity

Diet: A diet high in animal fats, such as those found in red meat, can increase a person's chance of developing colon cancer.

Symptoms

Early colon cancer usually has no symptoms. People with the following symptoms should see their doctor:

Note: Signs and symptoms of colon cancer typically occur in advanced stages of the disease.

Once the cancer has spread to parts of the body that are remote from the primary tumor, the five-year survival rate is nine percent.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Research: Currently, the American Cancer Society is funding 94 colon cancer-related grants totaling approximately $37 million.

Education: The Society delivers health information to the public so that individuals can make informed personal decisions. Examples include printed materials, media coverage, community based outreach programs, and free, nationwide services such as the www.cancer.org Web site and a 24-hour information and support line at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Advocacy: With the help of grassroots volunteers in communities across the country, the Society advocates action at both the state and federal levels to ensure responsible health policies and to increase funding for research and access to early detection and diagnosis tools and treatment. For example, the American Cancer Society was instrumental in securing Medicare and Federal Health Employee Benefit Plan coverage of the full range of colorectal cancer screening tests. The Society is continuing to lead the charge at the federal and state levels to ensure all Americans have coverage for the full range of colorectal colon cancer early detection tests for average-risk people 50 or older and those at higher risk.

Service: The Society works to improve quality of life for people living with cancer through a variety of support services and programs helping patients and families cope with the disease.