Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Rectal cancer is cancer in the last few inches of the colon. Colon cancer and rectal cancer together are known as colorectal cancer. Typically colorectal cancer is a slow growing cancer and begins with polyps, an abnormal growth of cells in the colon. The early removal of colon polyps helps with detecting pre-cancerous cells before they become cancerous.
Who is at risk for Colorectal Cancer?
If you are of African American and/or Hispanic descent you are at a higher risk and are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer. There is an inherited mutated gene that can cause cancer to develop at an early age in these populations. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should inform your physician about this.
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