Colorectal Cancer Treatment,Colorectal Cancer Follow

Colorectal cancer is a term used to refer to cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Colon and rectal cancers begin in the digestive system, also called the GI (gastrointestinal) system. This is where food is processed to create energy and rid the body of solid waste matter (stool). After food is chewed and swallowed, it travels down to the stomach. There it is partly broken down and sent to the small intestine. The word "small" refers to the width of the small intestine. The small intestine is really the longest part of the digestive system. It is about 20 feet long. The small intestine continues breaking down the food and absorbs most of the nutrients. The small intestine joins the large intestine (also called the large bowel or colon), a muscular tube about five feet long. The first part of the colon absorbs water and nutrients from the food and also serves as a storage place for waste matter. The waste matter moves from the colon into the rectum, the last 6 inches of the digestive system. From there the waste passes out of the body through the opening called the anus.