Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. The disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality, second only to lung cancer in numbers of cancer deaths.
Despite the fact that it is highly preventable, it is estimated that approximately 145,290 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2005 and an estimated 56,290 people will die from the disease. Because many people are embarrassed to talk about this disease.
Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous polyps, grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These polyps can become cancerous.
Removing these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from ever developing. Approximately 90% of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable.
Because there are often no symptoms related to polyps, it is important to be routinely screened.