Video - A Colon Cancer Survivor's Story

Sometimes the most compelling way to describe the dangers of colon cancer is by telling the story of someone who has survived it.

While colon cancer treatment has made huge strides forward in recent decades, there is little that can be done for those who are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease. That's why early detection through colon cancer screening is so important.

This video is especially helpful for those who facing colon cancer surgery because the interviewee also describes what happened after the surgery was completed.

Colon cancer survival rates vary due to a number of factors, including the country in which the patient lives.

The location of the tumor, and how far the cancer has advanced (the "stage") also matter a great deal. According to recent U.S. statistics, here are five-year survival rate for tumors in various locations in the colon.

• Ascending colon   63%.
• Transverse colon 59%,
• Descending colon 66%.

The five-year survival rate specifies the percentage of those who are initially diagnosed with colon cancer who are still alive five years later.

Click on American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer to go to Amazon.com's product information page for this book.

It is also available from Barnes and Noble by clicking here or Borders by clicking here.