The American Cancer Society (Atlanta) estimates that more than 103,000 new cases of colon cancer will be reported in 2012 in the U.S. alone. Some patients with colon cancer may experience colonic obstruction, which can be painful and uncomfortable. A newly cleared colonic stent from Cook Medical (Bloomington, Indiana) can help physicians reduce the symptoms associated with obstruction, which can include abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, difficult defecation, constipation, diarrhea and GI tract bleeding.