TAMPA, Fla. — A representative for Kirstie Alley confirmed to Spectrum News Tuesday that the actress passed away from colon cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, it's the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for men and women combined despite having a more than 90% five-year survival rate when caught early.

What You Need To Know

  • A representative for Kirstie Alley confirms to Spectrum News the actress passed away from colon cancer

  • The American Cancer Society says colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for men and women combined

  • ACS says colon cancer has a more than 90% five-year survival rate when caught early

  • A doctor with Moffitt Cancer Center, where Alley's family says she was treated, told reporters screenings are also important because patients may be asymptomatic

“We always tell people, even asymptomatic people, that part of the reason to get screened is that if we detect something early, the chances of being treated and survival are much higher,” said Dr. Mark Friedman with Moffitt Cancer Center’s Dept. of GI Oncology.

In a statement posted to Alley’s Twitter page Monday, her children said her cancer was “only recently discovered.”

“We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care,” True and Lillie Parker said in the statement.

ACS estimated 106,180 new cases of colon cancer would be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022. Friedman said there can be symptoms, including rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss. He said part of the reason screening is so important is that people can be asymptomatic.

ACS recommends those screenings begin at age 45, but Friedman said a doctor may recommend earlier screenings if a patient has a family history of the disease.

“For years, the screening age used to be 50,” Friedman said. “But the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Task Force actually lowered that screening age a couple of years ago, and that’s because we were starting to see a shift towards earlier onset colon cancer.”

While overall colon cancer rates are decreasing by about one percent per year according to ACS, that’s mostly being seen in older adults. Those rates are increasing by two percent each year for people younger than 50 and by one percent annually for people ages 50-64.

Risk factors include older age, personal or family history with colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary syndromes, and type 2 diabetes. People can reduce their risk by managing weight, diet, and physical activity and by avoiding tobacco.

For information and to learn about resources, visit websites for the American Cancer Society, the CDC, and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.