Symptoms: Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool and change in bowel habits.
Risk factors: Family history of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, high-fat/low-fiber diet, inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables.
Detection & Treatment: Detection involves colorectal cancer screening and is advised for men and women beginning at age 50. The most common form of treatment involves surgery followed by chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus radiation. The 5-year relative survival rate for patients with cancer of the colon and rectum are 82% and 62% respectively. For early localized detection, the 5-year relative survival rate is 97%, however only 37% of colorectal cancers are discovered at this stage. The survival rate for people with distant metastasis is 9%.