Although there doesn't appear to be a direct link between diverticular disease and colon or rectal cancer, diverticular disease may make cancer more difficult to diagnose.

CNN: Diverticulitis

Shan Wang of Stanford has used a GMR chip smaller than a postage stamp to detect carcinoma-embryonic antigen (a sign of colon and rectal cancer) and human papilloma virus, the main cause of cervical cancer.

ECONOMIST: Labs on a chip

In a 2003 study, another Dartmouth team, led by the internist Elliott Fisher, examined the treatment received by a million elderly Americans diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, a hip fracture, or a heart attack.

NEWYORKER: The Cost Conundrum

Researchers at Memorial Sloan- Kettering reported in 2002 that a mere 4% of 698 prostate cancer patients who underwent IMRT suffered significant rectal bleeding, less than one-third the rate for older technology.

FORBES: On The Cover/Top Stories

The American Cancer Society suggests men in their 50s take this test yearly (along with a digital rectal exam), but there are two potential flaws.

FORBES: Magazine Article