Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. If everyone aged 45 years or older had regular screening tests, at least 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. So if you are 45 or older, start getting screened now.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women.

It is most commonly diagnosed in adults aged 45 and older.

The likelihood of developing it increases with age.

Your risk for colorectal cancer may be higher than average if:

You or a close family member have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.

You have an inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

You carry a genetic condition like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer).

If you’re considered high risk, you may need to start screening earlier or be tested more often than the general population. Talk with your doctor to create a screening plan that’s right for you.

If you’re 45 or older, getting screened for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here’s why it matters:

Colorectal cancer often begins as small growths, called polyps, in the colon or rectum.

Over time, some polyps can develop into cancer.

Screening tests can detect these polyps early, so they can be safely removed before they become cancerous.

Screening can also detect colorectal cancer in its early stages—when treatment is most effective and the chances of a cure are highest.

Precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer often develop without any noticeable symptoms. This means a person can have polyps or colorectal cancer and not realize it. That’s why regular screening tests are essential—they can detect problems early, when treatment is most effective.