Colorectal cancer includes cancers of the colon, rectum, appendix, and some anal cancers.
Colorectal cancer is the number two cancer killer in the United States.
Colorectal cancer can be present in people without symptoms, known family history, or predisposing conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Regular screening will help identify pre-cancerous polyps and colorectal cancers earlier. Primary prevention through polypectomy, or the removal of polyps, substantially reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Experts are not in total agreement on which screening tests should be used or how often adults without known risk factors for colorectal cancer should be tested. Leaders in the field have estimated that, with widespread adoption of these screening practices, as many as 30,000 lives could be saved each year.