Colorectal cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, includes cancers of the colon and rectum, with colon cancer occurring in the colon and rectal cancer in the rectum. The colon and rectum are part of the digestive system, the part of the intestine that provides the body with energy by breaking down food and forming solid excrement (through bowel movements and feces). When food is chewed and swallowed, it enters the stomach, where it is broken down into the small intestine, which also breaks down food and absorbs most of the nutrients. The small intestine connects to the colon (also called the large intestine). The colon is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long and it absorbs water and some nutrients (such as inorganic salts) from food and then forms feces that pass through the colon, rectum and then out of the body through the anus.