Understanding Colorectal Cancer

Understand colorectal cancer from the ground up — what it is, how screening and colonoscopy work, diagnosis and staging, treatment, and living well.

11 stepsAbout 62 min total

This learning path is educational only. It is not a treatment plan. Your healthcare team can help you understand what applies to your situation.

Your progress

Read6 min
What is colorectal cancer?
The basics of colon and rectal cancer.
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Read5 min
Signs and symptoms
Changes to watch for and when to ask a doctor.
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Colorectal screening
The tests that can catch it early.
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Colonoscopy explained
What to expect from a colonoscopy.
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What a biopsy involves
How a sample confirms the diagnosis.
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Understanding staging
What stage means and why it matters.
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Treatment overview
Surgery, chemotherapy, and other options.
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Read6 min
Coping with side effects
Common side effects and how they are managed.
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Tool5 min
Questions to ask your team
Prepare questions for your appointment.
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Clinical trials6 min
Colorectal clinical trials
How trials fit into colorectal cancer care.
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Read6 min
Living well afterward
Survivorship and follow-up care.
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Helpful words to know

Plain-language definitions in our glossary.

Build a personalized list of questions to bring to your next appointment.

Read the source material at the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov).