Colon Cancer

While colon cancer can be a dangerous and aggressive form of the disease, it often is treatable, especially when diagnosed early.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a form of cancer that grows in the colon, or large intestine, the lower portion of the digestive system. Most colon cancer starts as a clump of cells, or growths, called polyps.

While these polyps are often benign, or noncancerous, early in their development, they can grow into cancers over time. Polyps may produce few symptoms, if any, or be the cause of rectal bleeding

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

If you have colon cancer, you might experience:

Change in bowel habits or stool consistency that lasts longer than a few weeks
Chronic constipation
Chronic diarrhea
Rectal bleeding
Blood in stool
Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
Persistent gas
Feeling that you can’t completely empty your bowels
Weakness or fatigue
Weight loss
No symptoms at all. Many people with colon cancer never develop symptoms, so it’s important to get regular screenings for colon cancer and precancerous polyps.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

There are a number of risk factors for colon cancer. The majority of people with colon cancer are over age 45, so it’s important to begin scheduling regular colonoscopy screenings once you reach middle age. Colon cancer can occur at earlier ages as well, especially when there is a family history of colon polyps or cancer.

African Americans are at greater risk of developing colon cancer, as are people with a history of rectal polyps or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Obese, overweight, or sedentary people are also at a greater risk.