What Is Colon Cancer?

By becky

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Cancer is a disease marked by abnormal cells that destroy body tissues and divide in an uncontrollable manner. Cancer has many different names, depending on where it originates.

Colon cancer is one of the more common types of cancer. In fact, if skin cancers are excluded, colon cancer is the third most common type of diagnosed cancer among both women and men in the U.S.

1. What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer (also commonly known as colorectal cancer), is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. This type of cancer is usually slow-growing and takes many years to develop.

Most colon cancers start as non-cancerous polyps that eventually change into cancer. A polyp is a type of tissue growth that occurs in the rectum or colon lining. It’s important to note that not all polyps will turn into cancer.

However, if you receive a colonoscopy and your doctor detects one or more adenomas or non-cancerous polyps, he or she will likely suggest that you receive cancer screenings regularly.