Just as Betty Ford brought attention to the once-taboo subject of breast cancer, newly diagnosed celebrities such as Darryl Strawberry are starting a national dialogue about colon cancer. As it was with breast cancer 25 years ago, people today are reluctant or embarrassed to think or talk about the areas of the body affected by colon cancer, even though it is a top cancer killer among both men and women. And while symptoms may not appear until the cancer has advanced, this hidden disease can be successfully treated if detected early. Here are answers to the most common questions about colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum.
The colon is a muscular tube approximately five feet long that connects the small intestine to the rectum. Cancer can begin in any part of the colon, but before cancer develops, changes usually occur in the organ's lining. One change is a tissue growth called a polyp. Once detected, a polyp can be removed, preventing it from becoming cancerous later. Because colon cancer can be difficult to discuss, some family members may not be open about this disease.