Colon cancer, a cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second
leading cancer killer yet one of the most preventable. Most
cases start out in the lower part of the digestive system as
abnormal but benign cell growths called polyps. While most
polyps never cause problems, some may become cancerous. It is
estimated that about 30% of middle aged or older adults have one
or more colon polyps. In the early stages, precancerous polyps
and colon cancer often have no symptoms. There are several types
of screenings that can indicate the presence of benign or
cancerous polyps and if caught early, colon cancer survival
rates can be as high as 90%. Because the early stages of colon
cancer often do not present symptoms, the American College of
Gastroenterologists recommends a baseline colon cancer screening
for: - Adults at age 50 - African-American adults at age 45. If
you have additional risk factors such as a family history of
colon or rectal cancer or if you are a heavy smoker, earlier
screening may be recommended. Symp