Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the rectum or colon

Cancer care

cancer diagnosis

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

How common is colon cancer?

Below you can find information on how common colon cancer is in men

1 in 77

males have a lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Other types of cancer screenings

Below you can find information on other types of cancer screenings that you might be interested in.

Breast cancer

The cancer that affects women in South Africa the most

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and can occur in...

Cervical cancer

A disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the cervix

Cervical cancer is nearly always caused by infection with human papillomavirus...

Colorectal cancer

A disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the colon

Signs of colon cancer include blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits...

Prostate cancer

One of the most common types of cancer in men

Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that...

Skin cancer

A disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the skin

Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common in skin that..

Lung cancer

Cancer that begins in the lungs

People who smoke are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer, though lung cancer can also occur in people who...

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 (4.3%) for men and 1 in 25 (4.0%) for women. The rate of people being diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer each year has dropped overall since the mid-1980s, mainly because more people are getting screened and changing their lifestyle-related risk factors.

There are a number of tests that are used to screen for different types of cancer when a person does not have symptoms.

Scientists study screening tests to find those with the most benefits, doing the least harm. For some types of cancer, the chance of recovery is better if the disease is found and treated at an early stage.

Studies show that some screening tests for colorectal cancer help find cancer at an early stage and may decrease the number of deaths from the disease.

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum

Five types of tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer:

Fecal occult blood test

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a test to check stool for blood that can only be seen with a microscope. A small sample of stool is placed on a special card or in a special container and returned to the doctor or laboratory for testing. Blood in the stool may be a sign of polyps, cancer, or other conditions.

Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look inside the rectum and sigmoid (lower) colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A sigmoidoscope is inserted through the rectum into the sigmoid colon. A sigmoidoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove polyps or tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A colonoscope is inserted through the rectum into the colon. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove polyps or tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Virtual colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a series of x-rays called computed tomography to make a series of pictures of the colon. A computer puts the pictures together to create detailed images that may show polyps and anything else that seems unusual on the inside surface of the colon. This test is also called computed tomography colonography or CTC.

DNA stool test

This test checks DNA in stool cells for genetic changes that may be a sign of colorectal cancer.

Find care for colorectal cancer?

Find healthcare providers and facilities that specialise in treating colorectal cancer.

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