Key points
- Colorectal cancer is a disease that happens when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control.
- If you are 45 or older or think you may be at increased risk, talk to your doctor about screening.
What it is
Cancer is a disease that happens when cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the colon or rectum, it is called colorectal cancer. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer. Screening tests can find polyps so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment works best.
If you are 45 or older, talk to your doctor about screening. If you think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about screening and other ways to reduce your risk.