What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer occurs when the cells in the lining of the colon change, grow out of control, and then do not die.  This can be as a result of genetics, environment, or some combination of the two.  The cell growth can begin as a benign polyp, which if not properly treated or removed, can develop into a cancerous tumor.

Risk Factors:
Although there is no one single factor that will determine your risk for colon cancer, the following may increase your risk:
• Family History
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Lack of exercise/Obesity
• Over the age of 40
• A personal history of colon, rectal, ovarian, endometrium, or breast cancer
• A personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease

Symptoms:
Many times colon cancer is a “silent killer” and no symptoms will be present. However, the following are possible symptoms caused by colon cancer:
• Change in bowel habits
• Blood in stool
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Stools that are unusually narrow
• Gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps that occur frequently
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Vomiting

Early Detection & Statistics:
Early detection is the key to beating colon cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, 90% of patients whose colon cancer is diagnosed early, while the cancer is still localized, will survive at least five years after the diagnosis. However, as the cancer spreads, this percentage decreases dramatically.  Surgical removal of tumors in patients who have a small number of tumors can lead to a cure.

Colorectal cancer (which includes both colon and rectal cancers) is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States.  Although the death rate has been steadily declining over the past twenty years, it is the third most deadly cancer among men and women separately, and the second most deadly cancer of men and women combined.

It is important to note that these statistics are based on thousands of cases in the United States and do not serve as a prediction for how any single individual will be affected by colon cancer.
* Statistics from the American Cancer Society.