Miami Cancer Institute’s renowned gastrointestinal cancer specialists combine medical expertise and compassionate care to provide the best treatment options for our patients. Our colorectal cancer specialists have access to a range of cutting-edge technologies to diagnose and treat your specific cancer, with the goal of creating a personalized plan that effectively treats your cancer.

Our multidisciplinary team consists of internationally renowned oncologists who focus on the whole patient; from diagnosis, to treatment, to post-cancer life. Each individualized colorectal cancer care plan includes innovative treatments and services, such as nutritional advicephysical rehabilitation and pain management, to address your whole journey as a patient. Not only do we focus on the treatment that is right for your cancer, we focus on the treatment that is right for you as a patient.

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In some cases, a clinical trial may be available to treat your cancer. Your care team will work closely with you to find a trial that fits your cancer type and stage.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the tissue of the colon. The colon makes up the first five feet of the large intestine. The rest of the large intestine – around six inches – is the rectum.

Medical illustration of anatomy of the colon.

Colon cancer is often grouped together with rectal cancer and referred to as colorectal cancer. However, colon cancer specifically starts in the colon.

Colon cancer often appears first as a small growth (polyp) inside the colon. Finding and removing these polyps early can prevent colorectal cancer, as some polyps can become cancer over time.

What are the types of colon cancer?

Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, which is a cancer that forms in the cells of the tissue lining the colon.

Other, rare forms of colon cancer include:

A GI doctor consulting with his patient

  • 104,610

    New cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2020
  • 1 in 20

    People will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

There are some risk factors for colon cancer that can be controlled and others that cannot. Some of the risk factors that can be controlled include:

  • Being overweight.
  • Having a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Using tobacco products, especially smoking.
  • Drinking too much alcohol.
  • Eating a diet high in red or processed meat.

Risk factors that cannot be controlled include:

  • Having a personal or family history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer.
  • Having a genetic (inherited) syndrome such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.
  • Being over the age of 50.
  • Having a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Being African-American. African-American people have the highest incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S. Researchers do not fully understand why this population is affected more than others.
  • Being Jewish and of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jewish). This population also has one of the highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer.
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What can you do to prevent colon cancer?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer. However, you can reduce your risk for colon cancer by:

  • Not using tobacco. Speak with your doctor if you need help quitting.
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Eating a healthy diet low in red and processed meat. Aim for plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fait dairy. Talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about what you should include in a healthy diet.
  • Keeping a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.
  • Asking your doctor about genetic testing and screening recommendations if you have an inherited disease that increases your risk for colon cancer.
Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

Our cancer specialists at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute expertly combine the best of clinical research with the best of patient care to deliver your best outcomes.

Surgery is still the best therapy for early cancers of the colon or rectum. With early detection, surgery offers 80- to 90-percent curability.
Best Cancer Hospital

Best Cancer Hospital

Miami Cancer Institute was recognized as a top 3 Best Cancer Hospital in the South Florida region and one of America’s Best Hospitals for performing Lung Cancer Surgery and Colon Cancer Surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

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