The colon and rectum both make up the large intestine. The body extracts water and salt from solid wastes through the colon and moves the waste through the rectum to exit the body. Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is when cancerous growths are found in the colon or rectum.
Many times, what started as small, noncancerous clumps of cells (adenomatous polyps) turn into cancerous cells. These polyps don’t often produce symptoms, which is why it is highly recommended for middle-aged adults to receive regular screening tests.
