36 The List Finding Colon Cancer 7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SCREENING FOR THIS COMMON DISEASE BY JEANNIE BLAKE Nobody ever said the colon was a glamorous part of the body. But that doesn't mean you can afford to ignore this important component of your digestive system, responsible for absorbing fluids and processing waste. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer mortality in men and women in the U.S., with an estimated 51,000 deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Institute. So regular colon cancer screenings are incredibly important. "It's an extremely common disease," says Durado Brooks, MD, vice president of cancer control interventions for the American Cancer Society. "There will be somewhere around 150,000 new cases diagnosed this year. And many of those cases and deaths can be prevented by screening." Here are seven things to know about colon cancer screening. We Provide Exceptional Care FALL 2020 VIM & VIGOR PHOTO CREDIT Whether you're newly diagnosed with cancer or you're a 10-year survivor, you'll have the compassionate experts at Northside Hospital with you for every step. See more at everydaywellness.org/cancerandyou.http://www.everydaywellness.org/cancerandyou