What You Should Know Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. 130,200 Americans will be diagnosed this year with colorectal cancer and 56,300 will die from the disease.
Most colon cancers begin as benign polyps, and cancer can be prevented by removal of the polyps.
Men and women are equally at risk for colorectal cancer. For most Americans, standard screening with sigmoidoscopy and checking the stool for blood should begin at age 50. Colorectal cancer is most curable when found before it causes symptoms. When symptoms are present, the cancer may still be curable if not ignored.