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Colon Cancer Causes and Symptoms
The colon is the part of the large intestine that stores waste material.
Colon cancer develops when harmful cells begin to grow abnormally inside the colon,
which can be initiated from a number of causes.
Colon cancer is the third most common form of
cancer and the second leading cause of death among cancers in the Western world.
Colon cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Studies have shown that the cells
that lead to colon cancer were once polyps, benign tumour inside the colon.
When the polyps are left untreated they can become cancerous.
colon cancer is mainly diagnosed through colonoscopy and therapy is usually through surgery,
which in many cases is followed by chemotherapy.
Frequently, the patient may be asymptomatic. This is one reason why many organizations
recommend periodic screening for colon cancer disease with fecal occult blood testing and
colonoscopy.
Symptoms
When colon symptoms do occur, they depend on the site of the lesion. Generally speaking,
the nearer the lesion is to the anus, the more bowel symptoms there will be, such as:
- Change in bowel habits
- change in frequency (constipation and/or diarrhea)
- change in the quality of stools
- change in consistency of stools
- Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
- Stools with mucus
- Tarry stools
- Feeling of incomplete defecation
- Reduction in calibre of faeces
- Bowel obstruction
Causes
The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 7%.
Certain factors increase a person's risk of developing colon cancer:
- The risk of developing colon cancer increases with age. Most cases occur
in the 60s and 70s, while cases before age 50 are uncommon unless a family history
of early colon cancer is present.
- Family history of colon cancer also increases the risk of developing colon cancer.
- Smokers are more likely to die of colon cancer than non-smokers.
- Studies show that a diet high in red meat and low in fresh fruit, vegetables,
poultry and fish increases the risk of colon cancer.
- Physical inactivity may increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
People who are physically active are at lower risk of developing colon cancer.
- Exposure to some viruses (such as particular strains of human papilloma virus)
may be associated with colon cancer.
- Heavy alcohol use may also increase the risk of colon cancer.
Diagnosis
Colon Symptoms Digital rectal exam (DRE) : The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into
the rectum to feel for abnormal areas.
Colon Symptoms Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): a test for blood in the stool.
Colon Symptoms Sigmoidoscopy: A lighted probe (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and
lower colon to check for polyps and other abnormalities.
Colon Symptoms Colonoscopy: A lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum
and the entire colon to look for polyps and other abnormalities.
A colonoscopy has the advantage that if polyps are found during the
procedure they can be immediately removed.
Treatment
The treatment depends on the staging of the cancer. When colon cancer is caught
at early stages (with little spread) it can be curable.
However when it is detected at later stages (when distant metastases are present)
it is less likely to be curable.
Surgery remains the primary treatment while chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be
recommended depending on the individual patient's staging and other medical factors.
Chemotherapy
Colon Symptoms Chemotherapy is used to reduce the likelihood of metastasis developing, shrink
tumor size, or slow tumor growth.
-Colon Symptoms Chemotherapy is often applied after surgery , before surgery , or as the primary
therapy if surgery is not indicated.
Source: wikipedia.org
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Colon Cancer Symptoms
