Colorectal Cancer Screening
There are approximately 148,000 new cases of colorectal cancer annually in the United States, with approximately 50,000 people who die from the cancer or its complications every year. Over a lifetime, women have a 5% risk of developing colorectal...

Familial Colorectal Cancers - Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
Colorectal cancer accounts for 14% of all cancer deaths in the United States. There were an estimated 135,400 new cases and 56,700 deaths in the United States in 2001. Approximately 10 to 15% of these cancers may be caused by genetic abnormalities...

Familial Colorectal Cancers: Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)
Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer Colorectal cancers are some of the most common cancers in industrialized countries. In 2001, there were an estimated 135,400 new cases and 56,700 deaths in the United States. Approximately 10 to 15% of cases...

Understanding Your Pathology Report: Colon Cancer
What is a pathology report? A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by examining tissue from the body. You will probably never meet the pathologist, but samples of your colon tissue, removed during surgery or biopsy, will...

Stage II Colon Cancer: To Treat or Not to Treat?
You would think that deciding whether to have chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant therapy) in stage II colon cancer would be an easy decision, but in fact, studies have not found a clear answer to this question.

OncoLink Meet the Professor: Weijing Sun, MD discusses developments in colon cancer therapy
= Julia Draznin Matlzman, MD, Senior Editor WS = Dr. Weijing Sun Dr. Weijing Sun, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the Director of Upper GI and Pancreatic-biliary-hepatic Cancer Group and the Associate...

Expert answers to common questions about colorectal cancer.

Can hemorrhoids lead to rectal or colon cancer?
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," Can hemorrhoids lead to rectal or colon cancer?   Thank you. James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Senior Scholar at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Senior Fellow in the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of

Laxative Use and Colon and Rectal Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I've heard that chronic constipation and laxative use is associated with colon and rectal cancer. Is that true?   Thank you. Li Liu, MD OncoLink Editorial Assistant, responds: This is an excellent question. It has long been suggested that low bowel movement frequency, by

Reishi During Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," After 6 months of symptoms related to colorectal cancer, my father had a colonoscopy last week and a 2-inch tumor was found at the rectum. Blood test and x-ray results haven't come in yet. A CT scan has been scheduled for this week. He started taking the Chinese herbal medicine reishi (Ganoderma Lucida) this

Colon, Rectal and Anal Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers frequently asked questions regarding certain foods, diet, and supplements for those with cancer or undergoing cancer therapy.

Useful External Websites
Colon Cancer AllianceThe Colon Cancer Alliance brings the voice of survivors to battle colorectal cancer through patient support, education, research and advocacy.Fight Colorectal CancerProvides advocacy, education and support.Chris 4 Life Colon...

NCI/PDQ^® Health professionals: Colon Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)
TABLE OF CONTENTS General Information About Colon CancerIncidence and MortalityAnatomyRisk FactorsScreeningPrognostic FactorsFollow-upRelated SummariesCellular Classification of Colon CancerStage Information for Colon CancerAJCC Stage Groupings and...

NCI/PDQ^® Health professionals: Colorectal Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Who is at Risk? Overview Factors Associated With Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer Excessive alcohol useCigarette smokingObesityFactors Associated With a Decreased Risk of Colorectal Cancer Physical activityInterventions...

NCI/PDQ^® Health professionals: Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ®)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary of EvidenceSignificanceEvidence of BenefitFecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)Newer FOBTs: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial EvidenceSigmoidoscopyCombination of FOBT and Flexible SigmoidoscopyBarium EnemaColonoscopyEvidence about...