Is this topic for you? This topic will tell you about the
initial testing, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer.
If you want to learn about colorectal cancer that has come back
or has spread, see the topic Colorectal Cancer, Metastatic or
Recurrent. What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer happens
when cells that are not normal grow in your colon or rectum.
These cells grow together and form tumors. As with other
cancers, treatment for colorectal cancer works best when the
cancer is found early. Screening tests can detect or prevent
this cancer, but only about half of people older than 50 are
screened. According to the American Cancer Society, if everyone
were tested, tens of thousands of lives could be saved each
year. What causes colorectal cancer? Most cases begin as polyps,
which are small growths inside the colon or rectum. Colon polyps
are very common, and most of them do not turn into cancer. But
doctors cannot tell ahead of time which polyps will turn into
cancer. This is why people older