Colon Cancer is a cancer that starts in the large intestine or rectum.

There is not one single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.

You are at high risk of colon cancer if you:

• Are older than 60
• Eat a diet high in red or processed meats
• Have cancer elsewhere
• Have colorectal polyps
• Have inflammatory bowels disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis)
• Have a family history of colon cancer
• Have a personal history of breast cancer

With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected before symptoms develop.