Colon cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. According to the American Cancer Society, "The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Colon cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes (mutations) in their DNA and start to grow out of control, forming a tumor." In 2024, it is estimated that there will be over 106,000 new cases of colon cancer diagnosed in the United States. The cancer usually begins in the lining of the colon as a polyp, which if left unnoticed, can grow into a tumor. 

On the left is a video from Stanford Health Care going over the basics of Colon Cancer.

While anyone can technically get colorectal cancer, there are people who are more at risk than others. The reality is Colorectal cancer can occur at any age, but the majority of cases are diagnosed in people over 50. The National Cancer Institute states, "Colorectal cancer is most frequently diagnosed among persons aged 65 to 74 years. The median age at diagnosis is 67 years. Based on data from 2017 to 2019, approximately 5.1% of men and 4.4% of women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point during their lifetime." The people who are more at risk than anyone are those with family history of colon cancer, as there is more likely genetic mutations that have been passed down through generations, and anyone with history should get checked more often than others. 

While the list below is not comprehensive and does not represent all possible risk factors, the listed factors lead to increased chances of getting colorectal cancer. Some possible risk factors are: 

• Age - risk increases after age 50

• Personal or family history of colorectal polyps or cancer

• Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

• Inherited syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome

• Racial and ethnic background - African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews have a higher risk

• Type 2 diabetes

• Lack of regular physical activity

• Low-fiber and high-fat diet

• Overweight and obesity

• Smoking

• Heavy alcohol use

Again, the list is not comprehensive and there are other factors that are out there.

Something to take note of is lack of exercise, as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, "Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. A diet with high amounts of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains is linked with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Conversely, diets high in red and processed meats are considered a risk factor." This is the only real way to lower the chances of getting colon cancer. While a healthy lifestyle can lower the odds, it is still possible to get colon cancer.  

On the left is a video from JJ Medicine going over 11 risk factors for Colorectal cancer. 

When detected early, Colorectal Cancer is much easier to deal with and can be removed promptly and without too much struggle. This is why The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults aged 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, "People at increased or high risk of colorectal cancer might need to start colorectal cancer screening before age 45, be screened more often, and/or get specific tests." The decision to be screened between ages 76-85 should be made on an individual basis. 

There a variety of tests that are done to screen for Colorectal Cancer, varying from at-home tests all the way to tests done in laboratories. Below is a list of a few different methods of screening for Colorectal Cancer: 

• Stool tests - such as the guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) or the fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy - allows doctors to view inside the rectum and lower third of the colon

• Colonoscopy - examines the entire length of the colon and rectum

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) - uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the colon

• Stool DNA test (like Cologuard®) - looks for abnormal sections of DNA from cancer or polyp cells

As mentioned above, some of these tests can be done at home, although the most accurate tests will be done by a professional in a professional setting. Early detection is key!

Once it is identified, Colorectal Cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, all depending on how advanced the cancer is. For early stage Colorectal Cancer, the primary treatment is surgery. The goal is to remove the tumor along with some of the surrounding healthy tissue. Surgical procedures include:

• Colectomy - removal of all or part of the colon

• Laparoscopic surgery - minimally invasive; several small incisions are made in the abdomen

• Polypectomy and local excision - removal of a small cancer confined to a polyp

(On the left is an animated demonstration of a colectomy.) 

For more advanced cancers, or for cancers that are in more difficult spots (like in the upper colon), it requires treatments like Chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body. It's often given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. "Chemotherapy might also be used before an operation to shrink a large cancer so that it's easier to remove with surgery," adds the Mayo Clinic. Radiation treatment usually uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells in a specific area. It's usually combined with chemotherapy for rectal cancer. Both of these can sometimes be used to make a tumor smaller so that it can then be removed via surgery. 

As modern medicine has gotten better, so have treatment options. One of the more recent treatment options is Immunotherapy. This treatment is a newer option that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. These treatments help immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells. In 2024, "The National Cancer Institute is currently funding numerous research projects investigating the potential of immunotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer," according to their website. Another form of treatment is Targeted Drug Therapy. This treatment targets specific proteins or cell functions that contribute to cancer growth and survival. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. The American Cancer Society explains, "Targeted drugs work differently from standard chemotherapy drugs. They sometimes work when standard chemo drugs don't, and they often have different side effects."