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When colon cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5 year survival rate is 90%.
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When colon cancer is NOT diagnosed until it has spread to distant organs, the 5 year survival rate is only 10%.
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More than 90% of people diagnosed with colon cancer are 50 years and older.
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More than 30,000 lives could be saved each year if Americans over 50 years old were screened for colon cancer.
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Colon cancer is highly preventable, treatable, and often curable.
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According to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer annually and an estimated 50,000 die, most of them unnecessarily.
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Over 15,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colon cancer each year under the recommended screening age of 50. Some individuals should be screened earlier. Check with your physician if you have risk factors or symptoms.
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A low-fat diet high in vegetables and fruits and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of colon cancer.
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Regular screening tests may detect pre-cancerous polyps. Removal of these may prevent cancer from developing.
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Beginning at age 50, men and women should be screened regularly for colon cancer - screening tests are not painful, and are often covered by Medicare and most health insurers.
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It is important to get a colonoscopy if you have symptoms at any age.
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A colonoscopy is the best way to find and remove colon polyps, preventing colon cancer before it starts.