What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer grows in the large intestine (called the colon) which is in a person’s midsection. Before cancer develops, abnormal growths, called polyps, grow in the colon. Then, over time, cancer can develop inside those polyps. If not found, that cancer will spread and eventually leave the polyps and infect the colon.

Colon cancer can be prevented by screening if polyps are found and removed before the cancer begins to grow.