Colorectal Cancer

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Despite being one of the most preventable types of cancer, over 50,000 deaths from colorectal cancer occur each year.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "representativeOfPage": "True", "url": "https://www.fda.gov/files/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png" }, "datePublished": "Fri, 06/21/2024 - 16:25", "dateModified": "Mon, 04/01/2024 - 16:38", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Office of the Commissioner" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "FDA" } } ] }</script> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/preview/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/colorectal-cancer" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/colorectal-cancer" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.fda.gov/node/413695" /> <script src="/files/google_tag/production/google_tag.script.js?smjbjq" defer></script> <title>Colorectal Cancer | FDA</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/files/css/css_nIAEFYPN7y_O0y9dA__6_ZBSGy8omYOK6rvMeZ1warY.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=preview&include=eJxljlEOwjAMQy_UUX6QuE2VtVmpaOuqCUPj9DAQA8FP5NiS_SZUpSsLCtvpo3cmAjGzo0p50eTF_hpGFlEudiRh0zrPia82ZoyUB9Elpxr_bN9TUzEjoKKdmm1omLmbKZDzZw5J0R3XE1XPhauKJe_RQ0J1irgCyAldPQKbtVrs8-4KwiXzqwel5bQ2vDJ32B-_TDM91iuUxW5qA_WdbgvHD3mg9tx6_9v6sIHdAfkmf6A" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/files/css/css_xLeUZALg1CD0YmiSIzZnqkwKfNF_g3TkAjkxBt_uccA.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=preview&include=eJxljlEOwjAMQy_UUX6QuE2VtVmpaOuqCUPj9DAQA8FP5NiS_SZUpSsLCtvpo3cmAjGzo0p50eTF_hpGFlEudiRh0zrPia82ZoyUB9Elpxr_bN9TUzEjoKKdmm1omLmbKZDzZw5J0R3XE1XPhauKJe_RQ0J1irgCyAldPQKbtVrs8-4KwiXzqwel5bQ2vDJ32B-_TDM91iuUxW5qA_WdbgvHD3mg9tx6_9v6sIHdAfkmf6A" /> <script src="https://script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0024/3700.js" async></script> <script src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=HHS&subagency=FDA&sdor=fda.gov&dclink=true" language="javascript" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-273DTKB5QW", {"groups":"default","page_placeholder":"PLACEHOLDER_page_location","allow_ad_personalization_signals":false});</script> </head> <body class="role-anonymous path-node page-node-type-article has-glyphicons"> <div id="quicklinks" class="sr-only"> <ul> <li><a href="#main-content" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to main content</a></li> <li><a href="#search-form" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to FDA Search</a></li> <li><a href="#section-nav" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to in this section menu</a></li> <li><a href="#footer-heading" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to footer links</a></li> </ul> </div> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M95XGZW" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="main-container container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <header class="lcds-header container-fluid" role="heading" aria-level="1"> <div class="row us-masthead"> <div class="usa-banner col-xs-12"> <img class="usa-banner__us-flag" src="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/US_Flag.png" alt="U.S. flag" /> <span>An official website of the United States government</span> <a id="USMenuButton" class="collapsed" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#USABannerMenu" aria-controls="USABannerMenu">Here鈥檚 how you know <span class="toggle-indicator"> </span></a> <div class="col-xs-12 collapse usa-banner__menu" id="USABannerMenu" aria-labelledby="USMenuButton"> <div id="gov-banner" class="row usa-banner-content usa-grid usa-accordion-content" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3"> <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov" style="width:3em;"> <div class="usa-media_block-body"> <p><strong>The .gov means it鈥檚 official.</strong><br>Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 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col-md-push-2" role="main"> <figure> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <picture> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_small/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=70-T1gRY 1x" media="all and (max-width: 320px)" type="image/png" width="320" height="180"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=7Nl_KwUu 1x" media="all and (min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 480px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=7Nl_KwUu 1x" media="all and (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=7Nl_KwUu 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 992px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_1/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=8ee17WHv 1x" media="all and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px)" type="image/png" width="1020" height="574"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_1/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=8ee17WHv 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1201px)" type="image/png" width="1020" height="574"/> <img loading="eager" src="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Colorectal%20Cancer%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=7Nl_KwUu" width="500" height="281" alt="doctor showing notebook to patient" class="img-responsive" /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </figure> <p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="/media/158173/download"><span class="text">Fact Sheet: Download and Share</span></a> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="/media/158174/download"><span class="text">Brochure: Download and Share</span></a> <a class="btn btn-primary" href="/media/158175/download"><span class="text">Infographics: Download and Share</span></a></p> <p>Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Despite being one of the most preventable types of cancer, over 50,000 deaths from colorectal cancer occur each year. African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives are disproportionately affected. Health care providers recommend routine screening starting at age 45, or earlier if you are at higher risk.</p> <h3>What is colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Colorectal cancer usually develops from polyps or other precancerous growths in the large intestine (comprised of the colon and rectum). The cancer cells may spread from the growth to other parts of the body in advanced stages.</p> <h3>Who is affected by colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Most cases of colorectal cancer occur in people over the age of 50, but rates are going up for younger adults. African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest rates of colorectal cancer. Factors that increase your risk of colorectal cancer include:</p> <ul> <li>Family or personal history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or other intestinal conditions</li> <li>Type 2 diabetes</li> <li>Lack of exercise</li> <li>Overweight or obese</li> <li>Tobacco use</li> <li>Consumption of three or more alcoholic drinks per day</li> </ul> <h3>What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?</h3> <p>Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don鈥檛 always cause symptoms, especially at first. If you have symptoms, they may include:</p> <ul> <li>Changes in bowel movements <ul> <li>Constipation or diarrhea</li> <li>Narrow or bloody stools</li> <li>Feeling your bowel is not fully empty</li> </ul> </li> <li>Vomiting</li> <li>Sudden weight loss</li> <li>Gas pains or cramps</li> <li>Feeling tired or weak</li> </ul> <h3>What should I know about screening?</h3> <p>Several non-invasive screening tests are available that can find precancerous changes in stool, tissues, blood, and genes. How often you need to be screened depends on the type of test selected.</p> <p>If colorectal cancer is found early and treated properly, the survival rate is high for 9 out of 10 people. Health care providers recommend routine screening starting at age 45, or earlier if you are at higher risk.</p> <h3>How is colorectal cancer treated?</h3> <p>Your health care provider will recommend treatment based on the stage of the cancer and your overall health. Several medications act to destroy cancer cells or block them from spreading. Other medications boost the body鈥檚 immune system. Cancerous cells can also be surgically removed or destroyed by FDA-approved treatments like freezing, radiation, or chemical injection.</p> <h3>Colorectal cancer and clinical trials</h3> <p>The FDA encourages diverse participation in clinical trials. If you think a clinical trial may be right for you, talk to your health care provider. You can also search for clinical trials in your area at <a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/"><strong>www.ClinicalTrials.gov</strong></a>.</p> <p>For more information on health equity, visit <strong><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0f7753c6-9f66-4688-bccd-4554c9b957e0" href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity" title="Minority Health and Health Equity">www.fda.gov/healthequity</a></strong>.</p> <hr> <h2>Download Colorectal Cancer Resources</h2> <ul> <li><a data-entity-substitution="media_download" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="5d6f8283-aa25-416f-8b9a-5bc7d4345a0f" href="/media/158173/download?attachment" title="OMHHE Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet">Fact Sheet: Colorectal Cancer</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="media_download" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="3eff4c8e-4e89-40dd-ac31-bb6ff1c9062c" href="/media/158174/download?attachment" title="OMHHE Colorectal Cancer Brochure">Brochure: Stages and Treatment</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="media_download" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="955afd56-a0fd-4e57-bda6-fc1ef46d48e4" href="/media/158175/download?attachment" title="OMHHE Colorectal Cancer Infographics">Infographics: What Is Colorectal Cancer?</a></li> </ul>   </div> <aside class="col-md-2 col-md-push-2" role="complementary"> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-4" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <div class="region region-"> <aside class="lcds-card lcds-card--border-top"> <ul role="menu" class="lcds-description-list"> <li role="menuitem" class="node-current-date lcds-description-list__item"> <div> <h2 class="lcds-description-list__item-heading">Content current as of:</h2> <p class="lcds-description-list__item-text"><time datetime="2024-04-01T16:38:00Z">04/01/2024</time> </p> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="lcds-description-list__item"> <div> <h2 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view-in-this-section view-id-in_this_section view-display-id-block_4 js-view-dom-id-34b6edf160e5b1bb00b3028dee63235942308063775417e5c298a2d4c78aea1c"> <div class="item-list"> <ul class="lcds-section-nav__active lcds-section-nav__list lcds-section-nav--side__list"> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/alzheimers-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Alzheimer's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/anxiety" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/asthma" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Asthma</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/clinical-trial-diversity" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Clinical Trial Diversity</a></li> <li><a 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