Hello. I'm Doctor Clayton Hess, founder of CureRays Radiation Medicine. Let me walk you through this page: Keep Rectal Cancer Away®.

Rectal cancer is treated differently from colon cancer, because the rectum sits in a tight, fixed space next to nerves, the bladder and sexual organs. That anatomy is exactly why radiation matters here — and why, for some people, careful treatment can now avoid an operation entirely.

Here is what you'll find on this page.

Who is at risk. Age — risk rises after 45, and cases in younger adults are increasing; Family history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps; Lynch syndrome and other inherited conditions.

Finding it early. Screening works here better than almost anywhere in oncology, because it does not just find cancer early — it removes the polyps that would have become cancer.

How it’s diagnosed. Diagnosis is usually made at colonoscopy : the polyp or tumor is seen and biopsied in the same visit.

Staging explained simply. The same T, N and M system applies.

Here is what you can do next.

Go deeper on colorectal cancer. Read the full plain-language guide, or talk with our radiation team about your pelvic MRI. Look for the button marked Full colorectal cancer guide.

You can always reach our Grass Valley office at 5 3 0. 8 0 2. 6 4 0 0.

This page is informational only. It is not medical advice — please confirm anything here with your care team.

--- PRONUNCIATION KEY (not spoken) ---
CureRays -> CURE-rays