Colorectal cancer is just as common among women as men. An estimated 148,610 new cases will be diagnosed in 2006 in the United States. Of these new cancer cases, 106,680 will be colon cancer and 41,930 rectal cancer. And an estimated 55,170 will die of the disease in 2006, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
In many cases colon cancer can be prevented. Colon cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colon cancer before it starts.
African-American men and women are diagnosed with and die from colon cancer at higher rates than men and women of any other US racial or ethnic group.
More than 90% of colon cancer cases occur in people age 50 and older. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends you start getting tested for the disease at age 50. People who are at increased risk for colon cancer -- for example, those with a family history of the disease -- may need to begin testing at a younger age. You should talk to your doctor about your specific situation and when you should begin getting tested.
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