Colon cancer begins when cells in the colon or the rectum grow out of control and take over healthy cells.

Colon cancer is the 3rd most common form of cancer in both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. More than 150,000 men and women in the United States get colon cancer each year so it is important that everyone who is at risk get screened.

Men and Women who:

• Are age 50 or older
• Have had growths in the colon called polyps or a history of colorectal cancer
• Have close family relatives with colorectal cancer or polyps
• Eat a diet low in fiber and high in fat
• Have inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease
• Have a known family history of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)

• Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States.
• If found early, colon cancer is easy to treat and often can be cured.

• Rectal Exam
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
• Fecal Immunochemical test (FIT)
• stool DNA test (sDNA)
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• CT Colonography
• double contrast barium enema

• Have growths (polyps) removed from your colon
• Eat a diet high in fiber and high in fruits and vegetables
• Get regular colon screenings beginning at age 50
• If you have a family history of colorectal cancers, screenings may begin prior to age 50, please consult your physician