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What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal Cancer is cancer of the colon (the large bowel or large intestine) and the rectum. Colorectal cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. For reasons that are not fully understood, these polyps may become cancerous. According to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually and an estimated 60,000 die, most of them unnecessarily. As the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women combined, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, as well as one of the most curable cancers, when detected at an early stage.
In medical circles, the name Olympus is synonymous with endoscopy. An endoscope is a medical device commonly used in gastrointestinal (GI) procedures for colorectal cancer screening. With a small camera at the distal tip of the endoscope, physicians are able to visualize the inner lining of the GI tract --- a potentially life-saving examination previously possible only through surgery.
The mission of Olympus, as the global leader in endoscopy, is to improve the lives of millions of people who have diagnostic or treatment procedures performed with the products and services we provide to healthcare professionals around the world.
We believe it is our corporate responsibility to help "spread the word" to customers and friends worldwide that Colorectal Cancer is preventable and beatable when detected early.
Learn more by watching the following informational videos.
Download the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Informational Brochure (.pdf).
Colorectal cancer is preventable and easy to treat when detected early. Talk with your healthcare provider about what kind of screening test is right for you.
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