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ARE YOU AT RISK FOR COLON CANCER?

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What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer refers to cancer that occurs anywhere in the large intestine or rectum. This part of the digestive system (the colon) is where the digestive process is completed and waste (stool) is prepared for elimination from the body.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 148,000 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone—resulting in more than 55,000 deaths.¹ That makes colon cancer the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.²

While the exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, in most cases, it is preventable if the warning signs are caught early enough. Colon cancer usually develops slowly over a period of several years and begins as an abnormal tissue growth called a polyp. Most polyps are not initially cancerous, but over the course of several years, some polyps may become cancerous. If untreated, colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body. A colonoscopy can help in finding and removing colon polyps before they become cancerous, effectively preventing colon cancer.

Click to download the FAQs About Colon Cancer.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

What can be done to prevent colon cancer?

References

Cancer stat fact sheets: cancer of the colon and rectum. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect_print.html. Accessed April 12, 2007.
Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition. Colorectal cancer fact sheet. Available at: http://www.fdhn.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=210. Accessed April 12, 2007.

Important Information About OsmoPrep

OsmoPrep Tablets are used to clean the colon before colonoscopy in adults aged 18 years or older. Do not take OsmoPrep if you are allergic or hypersensitive to sodium phosphate salts or to any of the ingredients in OsmoPrep. Before considering OsmoPrep, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including any heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, any kidney impairment such as electrolyte disturbances, any abdominal problems such as bowel obstruction or motility issues, and any history of seizures. Also tell your doctor about any medications that you are taking or if you may be pregnant. The most common side effects in studies with OsmoPrep were abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Adequate hydration before, during, and after the use of OsmoPrep Tablets is recommended.

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