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Doctors are always working to find better ways to fight colorectal cancer. This includes finding ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to people diagnosed with this disease.
Colorectal cancer kills more than 50,000 people each year. According to the American Cancer Society, excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. It is also the second leading cause of death from cancer.
Surgery and chemotherapy are treatment options, but researchers at cancer.net keep tabs on the latest studies and techniques being used to fight colorectal cancer. You should always talk to your doctor first about the best treatment options for you. But let’s take a look at some of the tactics that are now being used to take down the disease.
An important part of colon cancer awareness is reviewing your family history. Up to 30% of colon cancer patients have a family history of the disease. Remember that it’s the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women. Here’s how doctors are battling the disease:
Keep in mind that the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. Colon cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older. The average age for a colon cancer diagnosis is 68 in men and 72 in women. For rectal cancer, the median age is 63 in both men and women.
In addition to family history and age, other risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
If you’d like more information on how to decrease your risk of colon cancer and other diseases, talk to one of our physicians. And if you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our guide “Midlife Health Screenings For Men and Women.” Inside you’ll find what types of screenings you need and how often you should get them as you age.