Go Blue For Your Colon

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness month. Officials with the American Cancer Society are asking everyone to wear blue on Saturday in order to spread the message of colon cancer prevention.

Colorectal cancer, commonly referred to as "colon" cancer, develops in the lower part of the digestive system in the colon or rectum. Before a cancer develops, there often are earlier changes in the lining of the colon or rectum. One type of change is a growth of tissue called a polyp. The American Cancer Society reports removing the polyp early through colon cancer screening, may prevent it from becoming cancer.

"Colon cancer is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through screening," said Dr. William Dooley, American Cancer Society Volunteer and Oncologist at OU Cancer Center. "Precancerous polyps, from which colon cancers often develop, can be identified and removed before they become cancerous."

Colon Cancer Facts in Oklahoma

• An estimated 1,880 new cases of colon cancer were expected to be diagnosed in Oklahoma during 2007.
• An estimated 720 colon cancer deaths were expected in Oklahoma during 2007.

Colon Cancer in the United States

• In 2008, an estimated 148,810 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Of these new cancer cases, 108,070 will be colon cancer and 40,740 will be rectal cancer.

• An estimated 49,960 deaths due to colorectal cancer are expected to occur in 2008, accounting for 9% of cancer deaths this year.

• About 26,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over 50 got screened for colorectal cancer.

• When women and men are considered separately, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in each sex.

• African Americans have the highest incidence rate and death rate from colorectal cancer of any racial or ethic group in the U.S.

• Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed caner in both Hispanic Latino men and women.

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among African American men and women combined.

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic Latino men and women combined.

For more information on colon cancer visit the American Cancer Society website.

Information for this story was obtained from American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2008, American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2007-2008, and American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2006-2008.