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CANCER TYPES

Colon

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is cancer that begins in the large intestine or the rectum.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

  • Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation
  • Blood in the stool
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Pain and/or tenderness in the lower abdomen

Colon Cancer Causes

  • Age – over 85% of patients with this diagnosis are over 60 years old
  • Genetics – family history of colon cancer increases the likelihood
  • Benign polyps in the bowel – growths in the bowel are not cancerous but can develop into cancer over a period of time
  • Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease – patients with severe forms of these chronic bowel disease are at an increased risk
  • Personal history of cancer – especially cancer of the rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast