Mayo Clinic Radio: Colorectal Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer death in the U.S. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, some polyps become colon cancers. Because these polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms, health care providers recommend regular screening tests to prevent colon cancer. These screenings identify and remove polyps before they become cancerous.