What you need to know about colon cancer, including when and where you should get checked and tips to protect yourself. Get an at-home test.
Colon cancer is cancer of the large bowel colon , which is the final part of your digestive tract. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last six inches of the colon. Together, they are called "colorectal cancer," or commonly called "colon cancer" or "bowel cancer. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous benign growths called polyps. Over time, some of these polyps can become colon cancer.
People with average risk can get checked for colon cancer with an at-home test called the fecal immunochemical test FIT. People with an increased risk can get checked with a colonoscopy. Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related disease and death in Ontario for both men and women. But when colon cancer is caught early, 9 out of 10 people with the disease can be cured. There are often no physical symptoms during the early stages of the disease. As colon cancer develops over time, some or all of the following may occur:.
Learn more about colorectal cancer. Get checked regularly to find colon cancer early when it is more likely to be cured. Regular testing can also find polyps that could turn into cancer. You should get checked even if no one in your family has had the disease. You are at average risk if you:. LifeLabs will mail a test to your address of choice after your doctor or nurse practitioner has ordered you one.
The test is simple and only takes a few minutes to collect a sample poop. Follow these easy steps :. Learn more about how to complete the at-home test.
