INTRODUCTION: Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine also known as the colon, the lower part of your digestive system. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, and the leading cause of deaths from cancer among non-smokers.

It is, in the majority of cases, a treatable disease providing it is caught early. The facts show that when colon cancer is caught early, there is a 95 percent survival rate. It may be nutritionally based. For example, the rate of colon cancer is much higher in North America than in China, but Chinese who move to North America have a higher incidence.

EARLY: Most colorectal cancers are predictable by early diagnosis and screening. In fact, screening prevents more deaths due to early detection than breast or prostate cancer screening. Other research is looking at multiple genes involved in colon cancer and at improving screening techniques so more cancers can be detected early.

This includes looking for markers in blood, stool or urine that might provide an easier screening method to detect early signs of colon cancer. In general, when treatment starts at an early stage, more than 90 percent of patients survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. However, only about 39% of colon cancer is found at an early stage.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms tend to vary depending on the position or site of the cancer within the colon or rectum, though there may not be any symptoms at all. Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include intense abdominal pain, bloody stools or rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or major changes in bowel habits (recurring constipation or diarrhea).

In fact, the most common symptom is no symptoms at all, says Emina Huang, MD. But once these symptoms begin to develop, it may be a sign of more advanced disease. Half of people diagnosed after symptoms develop will die. Finding colorectal cancer before symptoms develop dramatically improves the chance of survival.

CONCLUSION: There is no question that the earlier the cancer is found, the more likely the patient can be cured with surgery. Although the cause is yet unknown, there is evidence that the majority of these cancers arise from polyps (benign intestinal tumors).

It has been well demonstrated that if colon cancer is found in the earliest stages, the cure rate could be improved to 90 percent.