Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

colon cancer
See 
cancer, colon.
colon cancer prevention
Measures taken to
prevent the formation of colon cancer. Colorectal
cancer can run in families. The risk of colon cancer
is increased for a person whose immediate family
member (parent, sibling, or child) had colorectal
cancer. It is increased further for a person who has
had more than one such relative with colorectal
cancer or a family member who has developed
colon cancer earlier than 55 years of age.
Individuals to whom any of these circumstances
apply should undergo colonoscopy every 3 years,
starting at an age that is 7 to 10 years younger than
when the youngest family member with colon can-
cer was diagnosed.
colon polyp
A benign tumor of the large intes-
tine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or
spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can
easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not
life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed
from the large intestine, they can become malignant
(cancerous) over time. Most cancers of the large
intestine are believed to have developed from
polyps.
colonic irrigation
See 
irrigation of the colon.
colitis, granulomatous
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colonoscope
A flexible, lighted instrument used
to view the inside of the colon.
colonoscopy
A procedure whereby a physician
inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the rec-
tum for the purpose of inspecting the colon. During
colonoscopy, polyps can be removed, bleeding can
be cauterized, and a biopsy can be performed if
abnormal areas of the colon are seen.