Colorectal Cancer
Most colorectal cancers start as non-cancerous growths in the lining of the colon – these are called adenomatous polyps. Over time these polyps become larger and more can develop. Eventually some of the cells in the polyps may become cancerous. For that reason it’s important to know if you have polyps, and to remove them before cancer develops. Approximately 20% of patients 50 years old without a family history of colorectal cancer or any symptoms will have a polyp detected at screening.
Colorectal is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in Canada (after lung cancer). It is slightly more common in men; they have a 1 in 14 chance of developing colorectal cancer during their lifetime (for women it’s 1 in 15). Colorectal cancer is highly treatable and usually curable if caught at an early stage. Unfortunately, almost 50% of people are diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
For more information on Colorectal Cancer see:
