Hundreds of thousands of people this year will hear those terrible words:

You have cancer.

But it doesn't have to be a death sentence.

Colorectal cancer is more treatable than ever.

The American Cancer Society estimates almost 110,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008.


Another 40 thousand will develop rectal cancer.

About 50 thousand people die each year from these diseases.

But these types of cancer grow slow and they are treatable.

"Actually preventable if its detected early so its foolish not to have screening test done for colon cancer," said Nurse Practitioner Martha Langhorne.

A screening test like a colonoscopy.

The procedure takes about two and a half hours and you are sedated.

Langhorne says if you have a first degree relative like a brother, sister, or parent with a history of colon cancer, you should have a colonoscopy every five years.

You should make an appointment as soon as you turn 50.

"Colo rectal cancer is the 3rd most serious cancer in the United States. In men it follows prostate cancer and lung cancer. In women it follows breast cancer and lung cancer," said Lanhorne.

Sometimes symptoms of the cancer are minimal.

Some might include a change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss and some people feel a dull pain in their lower abdomen.

Screenings have helped diagnose cases early, lowering the death rate over the last 15 years.