Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the colon or rectum, it is called colorectal cancer. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short.

Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. In the United States, it is the third most common cancer for men and women.

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.

If you are aged 50 or older, get screened now. If you think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened early.


A lot of people have said the worse part of the colonscopy is the "fast" and drink that is required before the procedure.  Prep is a yucky process.  I've been very attentive to this screening process because I know  Colon Cancer runs in my family.  It's not pleasant ... the fast (this time nothing after dinner on Tuesday until after the procedure on Thursday), the drink (like a bucket full of nastiness), the IV (the first attempt resulted in a blown vein and I got a little weepy thinking of UT as the kids call him ... such a warrior) ... then, no big deal.  I don't even remember the procedure.  They give you something very nice so that you don't notice ... and for me not to notice it must have been some pretty soothing stuff.

Then, my husband took me to a favorite lunch place (turkey wrap with side of sweet potato chips ... which I vaguely remember), then home to rest.

 I did have one polyp this time.  The Dr. told my husband that it didn't look like the kind that might develop into cancer, but of course they sent it off to biopsy ... results came in yesterday ... all clear.
All done for a couple of years.

The PCP sent blood sample off for a screening ... haven't heard back from that, but I'm confident that it'll be clear as well.

right afterwards
looks like my serious face