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Cancer Digestive System

The digestive or gastrointestinal (G.I.) system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. These organs work together to break down the food you eat into nutrients that are absorbed by the bloodstream and carried to all of the cells in your body. This is what gives your body the vital fuel it needs to function.Facts about Digestive CancersColorectal cancer is the #3 diagnosed cancer in the US and the #2 cause of cancer related death in men and women. Many digestive cancers are found in later stages, but colorectal cancer can be found and treated in earlier stages or even prevented due to screening exams.The American Cancer Society reports that even though colorectal cancer is found more often in people ages 50 and older, its on the rise in people under age 50. A study from 1974-2013 found a 1% increase per year in the colon cancer incidence of people 20-49; and an increase per year in the new cases of rectal cancer in adults 20-39 (3%) and 40-54 (2%).The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network reports that pancreatic cancer is expected to be the second cause of cancer-related death by 2020.According to the Esophageal Cancer Action Network, Esophageal cancer caused by long-time GERD (adenocarcinoma) is one of the fastest growing cancers in the US.The CDC reports that liver cancer is increasing approximately 2.3% per year and the death rate is growing rapidly at 3% per year. The cause of this increase is credited mostly to an increase in the cases of Hepatitis C especially in the baby boomer generation.