The third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men is colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men. The colon is also known as the large intestine or large bowel. The last six inches of the colon are called the rectum. A healthy colon takes the liquid leftovers not absorbed by the small intestine, removes the water and salts the body needs and forms stool.
Most colorectal cancers occur in the segment closest to the rectum.
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. If you're over age 40, have a digital rectal exam and stool test done each year. A digital rectal exam is performed by a doctor who feels inside the rectum to see if a tumor is present. If you're over age 50, have a sigmoidscopic exam performed every other year and a stool test for blood every year. During a sigmoidscopic examination, the rectum and colon are viewed with a flexible, lighted tube.