Colon and rectal diseases comprise a broad range of conditions and ailments, the severity of which can vary from mildly irritating to life threatening. Research has demonstrated that early screening and treatment of colon and rectal diseases can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.  Studies have shown that patients treated by colon and rectal surgeons are more likely to survive colorectal cancer and will pay less for surgical care because of colon and rectal surgeons' advanced training and the high volume of colon and rectal disease surgeries they perform.

Text from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) website (www.facrs.org).