Colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, is the type of cancer that develops within the large intestine and/or rectum. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the United States and affects 6% of the population in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates 55,170 colon cancer related deaths in 2006. Both men and women are at risk. Colon cancer is highly preventable because it ordinarily develops from pre-cancerous polyps in the colon which can be easily screened. However, only about 50% of men and women over the age of 50 were screened for colon cancer last year by any method. And out of these, less than 10% had a full colon cancer screening via traditional colonoscopy. Early screening can detect pre-cancerous polyps before they become cancerous. On average, abnormal growths in the colon follow a sequence of development from pre-cancerous polyps to cancerous polyps over a period of 7-10 years. For more information on colon cancer ask your primary care provider or visit the American Cancer Society website.