Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 108,070 new cases of colon cancer; 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer and 49,960 deaths caused by colorectal cancer in the United States in 2008. Screening can help prevent and detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages when outcomes are most favorable.

Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Treatment options are available for patients who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. These include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. At the University of Chicago, the colorectal surgeons are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise and are at the forefront of many surgical innovations. Read more »

Early Detection & Screening

Screening tests can be used to find cancers at an early stage as well as help prevent some cancers by allowing doctors to find and remove polyps that might turn into cancer. Some of these screening tests include:

• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
• Colonoscopy
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• Barium Enema

For more detailed information about early detection and screening, please visit the American Cancer Society web site »