Colon and rectal surgery deals with the intestinal tract, the colon, rectum and anal canal. A colon and rectal surgeon diagnoses and treats various diseases of these areas of the body by medical and surgical means. This specialist may deal with other organs and tissues that are affected by intestinal disease, such as the liver, urinary, and female reproductive system.

A colon and rectal surgeon can also diagnose and manage conditions such as hemorrhoids, abscesses and fistulae (infections located around the anus and rectum), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory conditions. They also use technical procedures to evaluate and treat cancer, polyps, and other anorectal diseases.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Florida has 123 practicing colon & rectal surgeons. Broken out by city, colon & rectal surgery doctor density in Altamonte Springs is 2, in Aventura is 1, in Boca Raton is 5, in Bonita Springs is 3, in Brandon is 2, in Cape Coral is 4, in Clearwater is 2, in Coral Springs is 1, in Daytona Beach is 5, in Delray Beach is 4, in Fernandina Beach is 1, in Fort Lauderdale is 11, in Fort Myers is 3, in Fort Pierce is 1, in Gainesville is 2, in Hialeah is 1, in Hollywood is 2, in Hudson is 2, in Jacksonville is 10, in Jupiter is 1, in Kissimmee is 1, in Lakeland is 1, in Lehigh Acres is 1, in Longwood is 1, in Lynn Haven is 1, in Maitland is 1, in Miami is 21, in Miami Beach is 3, in Naples is 3, in New Port Richey is 3, in North Miami Beach is 1, in Ocala is 2, in Orange City is 1, in Orange Park is 2, in Orlando is 13, in Ormond Beach is 4, in Palm Beach Gardens is 1, in Pembroke Pines is 3, in Pensacola is 1, in Plantation is 4, in Pompano Beach is 1, in Port Charlotte is 1, in Port Orange is 5, in Punta Gorda is 1, in Riverview is 1, in Saint Augustine is 1, in Saint Petersburg is 4, in Sarasota is 1, in South Miami is 1, in Stuart is 1, in Summerfield is 1, in Sun City Center is 1, in Tamarac is 1, in Tampa is 7, in Wesley Chapel is 1, in West Palm Beach is 3, in Weston is 10, in Winter Haven is 1, in Winter Park is 4, and in Zephyrhills is 1.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.