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
Polyps are abnormal tissue growths in the lining of the large intestine. If left undetected, polyps can become cancerous over the course of several years.
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Source: Stephen Holland, MD, Naperville Gastroenterology,
Naperville, IL, USA.
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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 left untreated colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body. A
colonoscopy can help find and remove colon
polyps before they become cancerous. The removal of colon polyps during a colonoscopy reduces the potential risk
for developing colon cancer.
Flat lesions are more difficult to locate and more likely to be cancerous than the more familiar polyps with a knobby appearance.
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Adapted from Soetikno et al.3 With permission.
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A colonoscopy also can be used to check for flat lesions. These are another type of colon growth that have a
greater risk of being cancerous than other lesions. Because these flat masses are typically at the same level as
the colon wall, it’s extremely difficult for healthcare providers to locate them. Every attempt should be made by
patients to complete their colon prep successfully, as this can increase the chance of detecting a flat lesion if
one should exist.
Download 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?
What is a colonosocopy?
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.
- Soetikno RM, Kaltenbach T, Rouse RV, et al. Prevalence of nonpolypoid (flat and depressed) colorectal neoplasms in asymptomatic and symptomatic adults. JAMA. 2008;299:1027-1035.
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.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch,
or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Consult with your physician to see if this product is right for you.
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