Colorectal cancer starts in either the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer starts in the inner layer and can grow through some or all of the other layers. Cancer that starts in these different areas may cause different symptoms. But colon cancer and rectal cancer have many things in common. In most cases, colorectal cancers develop slowly over many years. These cancers begin as a polyp--a growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the center of the colon or rectum. This tissue may or may not be cancer. A type of polyp known as an adenoma can become cancerous. Over 95% of colon and rectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. These are cancers that start in the cells that line the inside of the colon and rectum.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer in 2008 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 49,960 deaths. Thanks to new and improved colorectal cancer screening tests, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure.
Colorectal cancer, if detected early, is one of the most curable diseases. A fecal occult-blood test is the most commonly performed screening test for colorectal cancer in the United States. Look further into learning your testing options for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) screening and the latest immunological technology in fecal occult blood testing (an early screening test for Colorectal Cancer) featuring :
One Stool Sample vs. Three Stool Samples
No Messy Testing Cards
No Dietary Restrictions
