About Colon Cancer and Colonoscopies
- Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
- If diagnosed early, colon cancer is almost 90 percent curable.
- Men and women are equally at risk for colon cancer.
- About 70 to 80 percent of all colorectal cancers occur among people considered to be at average risk. Adults reach average risk at age 50 and should begin screening.
- About 25 percent of adults at age 50 have adenomatous polyps, the precursor lesions for almost all colorectal cancers.
