HealthyPIG Magazine

Colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon). The colon is the last part of the digestive tract. Colon cancer usually affects older adults, although it can occur at any age. It usually starts with small, noncancerous (benign) cell clumps called polyps that form inside the colon. Over time, some of these polyps can turn into colon cancer. Polyps may be small and cause few symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer. If colon cancer develops, there are many treatments available to help control it, including surgery, radiation therapy, and medications such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which starts in the rectum.