Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the colon or the rectum. You may understand this cancer to be called colon cancer or rectal cancer because they have many similarities. Most colorectal cancers begin in the form of polyps that grow on glandular cells that line the inside of the colon or rectum. However, not all polyps will eventually become cancerous. These forms of colorectal cancer begin to spread if the polyp(s) grow into the wall of the colon or rectum, eventually reaching blood vessels or lymph vessels.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer found in the United States. Even though there's uncertainty around how colon and rectal cancers form, there are a number of risk factors including older age, personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions, family history, sedentary lifestyles, and personal/family history of colon or rectal cancer.
