According to the American Cancer Society, in 2019, 101,420 Americans (51,690 men and 49,730 women) will learn they have colon cancer and 51,020 (27,640 men and 23,380 women) will dies of the disease. More than half of colorectal cancers are attributed to risk factors such as obesity, inactivity, long-term smoking and high consumption of red or processed meats. The 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 65 percent.
Learn how radiation therapy is used to treat colon cancer.