Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect adults. In the United States, it is the second most common cause of cancer death in adults. The reason we must take note of this is that it’s preventable.
Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps in the colon, although not all polyps will develop into cancer. These mushroom-like growths take about 10 to 15 years to turn into cancer, and they can be detected by looking at the inside of the colon. The procedure is called a colonoscopy.
Reviewed by Dr C R Jacobs, Clinical Oncologist, August 2008.
Reviewed by Dr Estelle Wilken, Senior Specialist, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, August 2010