In 1999, Minnesota had 2,000 new cases of colorectal cancer and 900 deaths. Colorectal cancer can be cured. Even more importantly, it can be prevented.
Most colon cancers start as polyps precancerous overgrowths of colon tissue.
If polyps can be detected by screening tests, they can be removed using a colonoscope usually in the outpatient clinic. Subsequent cancer development is thus prevented. Early stage colorectal cancers can generally be treated by surgery and are unlikely to recur. More advanced tumors may require surgery coupled with chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus radiation. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is generally made by doctors with digital rectal examination, protosigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or barium enema xrays.