The rectum is portion of the body’s digestive system. The digestive structure takes in nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The colon is the first part of the large intestine and is about 5 feet long. Both, the rectum and anal canal make up the last part of the large intestine and are 6-8 inches long. The rectum is the last several inches of the large intestine. It starts at the end of the last segment of your colon and ends when it reaches the short, narrow passage leading to the anus.Cancer inside the rectum and cancer inside the colon are often referred to together as "colorectal cancer."
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