Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.
Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become colon cancer.
Use these references to read more on colon cancer: www.mayoclinic.com www.cancer.org
Colonoscopy
We at It's a Great Day to be Alive cannot stress enough the importance of getting a colonoscopy. Scotty had no early symptoms or warning signs to think that he had a cancer that was spreading form his colon to his liver. Many people also experience no symptoms with colon cancer until it is too late.
Colon cancer screening should begin at age 50 for most people. If you have inflammatory bowel disease; a history of multiple, large, or high-risk adenomas; or a parent, sibling, or child who had colorectal cancer, your testing should start much younger.
Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can help prevent colorectal cancer from ever starting. And cancers found in an early stage, while they are small and before they have spread, are more easily treated.
But all too often people don’t get any of these screening tests. Then the cancer can grow and spread without being noticed. Early on, colorectal cancer doesn’t usually cause any changes that are noticed (symptoms). In most cases, by the time people do have symptoms the cancer is advanced and very hard to treat.
