Colorectal cancer often begins when abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon (large intestine or large bowel) or the rectum (the passageway that connects the colon to the anus). Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were nearly 150,000 new cases and nearly 53,000 deaths in 2021. The month of March is a great time to learn more about preventing and treating this disease.