Colon Cancer: Are You at Risk?: What Is Colorectal Cancer?

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, and the fourth most common cancer in women, after skin, breast, and lung cancer. Here you'll find information on what characterizes colorectal cancer as well as a list of factors which may increase your risk for developing it.

Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and divide without normal control or order, forming a mass called a tumor. (The colon and rectum are parts of the body's digestive system that remove water and nutrients from food and store solid waste until it passes out of the body.) Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. They can also break away from the tumor and spread to form new tumors in other parts of the body.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of non-skin cancer in men (after prostate cancer and lung cancer) and in women (after Breast Cancer and lung cancer). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States after lung cancer. The rate of new cases and deaths resulting from this disease is decreasing. Still, over 147,000 new cases are diagnosed, and more than 57,000 people die from colorectal cancer each year.

Who is at Risk?

The exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known. However, studies show that certain factors are linked to an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer:

Age -- Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. Although the disease can occur at any age, most people who develop colorectal cancer are over the age of 50.

Polyps -- Polyps are growths that protrude from the inner wall of the colon or rectum. They are relatively common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (noncancerous); however, experts believe that most colorectal cancers develop in certain polyps, called adenomas. Therefore, detecting and removing these growths may help prevent colorectal cancer. The procedure to remove polyps is called a polypectomy.

Familial adenomatous polyposis, or FAP, is a rare, inherited condition in which hundreds of polyps develop in the colon and rectum. Because this condition is extremely likely to lead to colorectal cancer, it is often treated with surgery to remove the colon and rectum (colectomy). Rectum-sparing surgery may be an option. Also, the FDA has approved an anti-inflammatory drug, celecoxib, for the treatment of FAP. Doctors may prescribe this drug, in addition to surveillance and surgery, to manage FAP.

Personal history -- A person who has already had colorectal cancer is at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer a second time. Also, research studies show that some women with a history of ovarian, uterine, or Breast Cancer have a higher-than-average chance of developing colorectal cancer.

Family history -- Close relatives (parents, siblings, or children) of a person who has had colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this type of cancer themselves, especially if the family member developed the cancer at a young age. If many family members have had colorectal cancer, the chances increase even more.

Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis -- Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the colon. Crohn's colitis (also called Crohn's disease) causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, most often the small intestine (the part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine). People who have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis may be more likely to develop colorectal cancer than people who do not have these conditions.

Diet -- Some evidence suggests that the development of colorectal cancer may be associated with a diet that is high in fat and calories and low in foods with fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Researchers are exploring what role these and other dietary components play in the development of colorectal cancer.

Exercise -- Some evidence suggests that a sedentary lifestyle may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In contrast, people who exercise regularly may have a decreased risk of developing colorectal cancer.