Colonoscopy: The Importance of Getting Checked for Colon Cancer
A colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon or colorectal cancer screening. A colonoscopy checks for polyps in your large intestine. Polyps are abnormal growths that can develop into cancer over time. Colon and rectal cancers are among the most preventable of all cancers if found early on because they are treatable and curable. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the United States. Colon cancer often goes unnoticed due to its lack of symptoms in its early stages, which is why it's been referred to as a "silent killer." How common is colorectal cancer? Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States. For 2021, The American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 104,000 new cases of colon cancer and over 45,000 new cases of rectal cancer. These days, rates of people being diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer each year has g