What you should know about colon cancer
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United states. This year an estimated 155,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed, and there will be an estimated 55,000 colon cancer related deaths. Although this disease is prevalent and grave, it is also preventable. Currently only 1/3 of the at-risk American population is undergoing proper screening. Both doctors and patients need to become more aware of colon cancer prevention. Read on to find out how we can work together to reduce the risks of clon cancer.
- Follow this link to listen to Dr. Rubin discussing colon cancer prevention
Timeline of colon cancer progression
| Polyps begin as aberrant crypts, which occur when cells in the colon begin to replicate abnormally |  |
| As abberrant crypts continue to replicate abnormally, the cells grow into a small polyp |  |
| Small polyps are not necessarily dangerous and will often remain as small polyps for the lifetime of the patient. However, if the cells continue to replicate abnormally, the small polyp may grow into a large polyp |  |
| If large polyps are not removed and their cells continue to replicate abnormally, the polyp can become an adenocarcinoma, or cancer. Untreated, these tumors will destroy the colon and invade other organs |  |
Colonoscopy allows enables a physician to visualize the colon and detect polyps and adenocarcinomas. Physicians can use a procedure called polypectomy to safely remove polyps before they become more dangerous adenocarcinomas. If an adenocarcinoma is seen, a surgeon can remove part of the colon to prevent
cancer from spreading elsewhere in the body.
