health

In spite of progress in early identification and treatment of colorectal
cancer, it remains the third leading cause of death from cancer in the
United States. Prognosis for recovery depends on the stage at which the
disease is detected and treated. If it does not reappear (recur) within five
years, it is considered cured. Stage I, II, and III colorectal cancers are considered
potentially curable, but most doctors do not consider Stage IV
cancer to be curable.
According to the NCI, 93 percent of colon cancer patients and
93 percent of rectal cancer patients who were diagnosed with Stage I
cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis, but only 39 percent of colorectal
cancers are detected at this early stage. The five-year survival rate
drops to 8 percent for those diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.