Colonoscopies Colorectal (large bowel) cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Together, the colon and rectum make up the large bowel or large intestine. Most colon and rectal cancers originate from benign wart-like growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum called polyps. Not all polyps have the potential to turn into cancer. Those that do have the potential are callled adenomas. It takes more than 10 years in most cases for an adenoma to develop into cancer. This is why some colon cancer prevention tests are effective even if done at 10-year intervals. How Common Is Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal cancer is the second-most common cancer killer overall and third-most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States in both males and females. There will be approximately 147,000 new cases and 57,100 deaths from colorectal cancer each year. What Is Screening for Colorectal Cancer? Screening looks for cancer or polyps when patients have no symptoms. Finding colorectal cancer before symptoms develop dramatically improves the chance of survival. Identifying and removing polyps before they become cancerous actually prevents the development of colorectal cancer. Who Is At Risk for Colorectal Cancer?
Polyps can grow for years and transform into cancer without producing any symptoms. By the time symptoms develop, it is often too late to cure the cancer because it may have spread. Screening identifies cancers earlier and actually results in cancer prevention when it leads to the removal of pre-cancerous polyps. Colonoscopy – The Best Test for Prevention Your doctor can examine your entire colon and rectum during a colonoscopy. This procedure is used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum where they could not be reached by sigmoidoscopy. Polyps can be removed during colonoscopy and sedation is usually used. |