Colon Cancer: Signs and 4 Ways to Reduce Your Risk

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 107,320 new cases of colon cancer in the US in 2025. This breaks down into 54,510 new cases in men and 52,810 in women. Fortunately, from 2012 to 2021, colon cancer rates dropped by about 1% each year -- mostly in older adults. However, for people younger than 55, rates have increased by 2.4% yearly from 2012 to 2021. Not to be confused with stomach cancer (also known as gastric cancer), it's essential to pay attention to the signs of colon cancer, factors that may increase your risk of developing the cancer and ways to reduce said risk. If you're ever concerned, make sure to talk to your doctor. What is colon cancer? The colon is a part of the large intestine; colon cancer forms here when there's an abnormal growth of polyps that form into cancerous cells over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, the polyps are small and may cause few to no symptoms. Regular screening is recommended, particularly if you have risk factors ... Read full article.