Colon cancer is a preventable disease, but it continues to be a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About one in every five Americans will develop colon cancer and about one in every 25 Americans will die from the disease. Although most new cases of colon cancer occur in those who are 50 and older, no age is too young to develop colon cancer.

Colon cancer incidence and mortality rates are slightly higher in Tennessee than the national average, so this means that, as a Tennessean, you have an increased risk for colon disease. The higher incidence in our state is mostly due to lifestyle risk factors like food choices, activity level and unhealthy habits.