The second leading cancer in the United States, colon cancer is often preventable and curable.

It is important to understand that with proper screening, colon cancer can not only be detected early but also prevented from developing. Although effective screening methods are available, about one-third of Americans do not receive them, according to recommendations for Colorectal cancer screening.Doctors offer five facts everyone should know to help reduce their risk of colon cancer.

*Screening can save lives.Screening can detect early cancers as well as colon polyps before they become cancer. Men and women should start screening at age 50.

*Check in when you feel good!Colon polyps and early-stage cancer often cause no symptoms. It's possible to have colon cancer and not even know it. That's why it's crucial to get screened before you develop symptoms!

*Understand the risk factors.Certain risk factors may require screening at a younger age. These conditions include inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colon cancer, colon polyps, or certain genetic disorders that may lead to colon cancer, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

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