The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 100,000 men and women living in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013. Statistically, colon and rectal cancers are often combined and defined as colorectal cancer. This addition brings the total to over 140,000 affected individuals with over 50,000 of these diagnoses resulting in death (American Cancer Society, 2013). Globally, the impact of this disease reached over one million people in 2008, with over 600,000 deaths attributed to colorectal cancer (Dusek, Maluskova, & Musik, 2013). Colon cancer is preventable with a healthy diet and exercise and is treatable with regular bowel exams. . However, signs and symptoms of colon cancer usually do not present themselves until the cancer is in an advanced stage, which results in a less favorable prognosis. Routine colon screening can lead to a diagnosis at an early stage of progression and can reduce the number of deaths due to this disease even when the individual is genetically predisposed to colon cancer (Colon cancer, 2013). The colon is an integral part of the digestive system. It consists of the last five or six feet of the intestine. There are four layers of tissue that make up the colon. The mucosa, the submucosa, the muscular layer and the serosa. Matter moves through the lumen of the small intestine rather quickly, and most nutrients are absorbed. Then, the waste travels slowly through the lumen of the colon where water is absorbed and fiber is broken down by bacteria. This process forms fecal matter which is then stored in the colon until peristaltic waves of smooth muscle continue motility towards the rectum and anus for defecation (Butler, Lewis, & Shier, 2013). Some factors increase the individual risk of epithel. .... half of the paper ......n tumor for a period of time to prevent a relapse of the disease (McCartney & Oberleitner, 2011). Colon cancer can be a fatal disease or it can be stopped before it even starts. A healthy preventative diet consisting of lean meats and foods rich in fiber, accompanied by a physically active lifestyle, can reduce the risk of this disease forming in the colon. Prevention strategies should also include routine colonoscopy for those at risk due to age or history. This early diagnosis tool is critical in providing information about the current condition of the colon. If colon cancer is unavoidable, individuals who undergo regular bowel screening have a better prognosis than those who do not. Waiting for symptoms to appear often reduces the remission rate. However, effective treatments are available for all stages of colon cancer, and the result is a longer life.