Colorectal cancer is not a topic most people want to think about, let alone talk about.  That’s probably why many of us don't discuss it with our family, friends or even our doctors.  The lack of awareness and unwillingness to talk about it can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

Here are the facts.

Colorectal cancer – or cancer of the colon or rectum – is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.  It’s estimated that about 147,000 new cases will be diagnosed and 56,700 Americans will die of the disease this year.  The good news is that the five-year survival rate is 90 percent for people whose colorectal cancer is treated in an early stage, before it has spread.  But, only 39 percent of colorectal cancers are found at that early stage.

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The five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90 percent when the disease is found in its early stages, before it spreads.  Unfortunately, only about 40 percent of colorectal cancers are found this early.  Once the cancer has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate goes down to 67 percent. For people whose colorectal cancer has spread to distant parts of the body such as the liver or lungs, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 10 percent.  That’s why early detection is so important.  Click here to get the basic facts on screening from the American Cancer Society.