What causes colon or rectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is caused by genetic changes that occur in the cells lining the large intestine. These changes occur slowly over time, and usually form a polyp before a frank cancer develops. While we cannot yet change genes to prevent colon cancer, screening for colorectal cancer can detect earlier cancers or allow your doctor to remove polyps, so that they cannot become cancers.
A.When genetic changes occur in the cells lining the large intestine, colorectal cancer is the result. These changes occur slowly over time, and usually form a polyp before developing into cancer. Unfortunately, scientists haven’t yet discovered a way to prevent colon polyps, but advanced screening techniques allow our doctors to detect these cell changes and remove polyps before they develop into cancer.
