An Overview Of Colon Cancer

At the bottom of the colon lies the large intestine. This form of cancer is a proliferation of cells that appear in the intestine. It usually starts small, as a group of genomes known as adenomatous polyps. These polyps can eventually become colon cancer. It affects one hundred thousand people every year. Initially, when they are small, polyps will show little symptoms, and may not have any symptoms at all. Using this routine check for polyps can be captured early, before becoming cancerous.

Symptoms of colon cancer cause significant changes that affect you to get medical attention. The most common symptoms of cancer are diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps, fatigue, weight loss, and / or rectal bleeding. Although blood in the stools itself can be a cause for cancer, it can be linked to other conditions or even triggered by the food we eat. Iron supplements and medicines used to soothe diarrhea can also cause blood in the stool.

When there is a change in the way cells grow and multiply, cancer is suspected. Cancer cells grow by accident and divide more frequently than normal cells, causing tumor growth in the area.

Although some may have cancer, it is likely to increase in individuals over 50 years of age. Other risk factors for colon cancer are genetics, other gut conditions, diet, weight gain, smoking, family history of colon cancer, alcohol use, inactivity, diabetes, radiation, and growth hormone disorders.

If you notice some of the symptoms listed above, you should get your primary care doctor checked as soon as possible. Earlier, colon cancer was found to have higher potential for successful treatment. If your doctor does not recommend it, ask for a screening when you are 50 years old. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you can ask for it sooner or later than the general public.

Initially your doctor will perform the test using a stool sample and then proceed to test further if the preliminary examination shows that there is blood in the stool. There are six stages of colon cancer, 0-IV. Recurrent cancer is also a possibility. Treatments for this form of cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and / or medication.

The best way to prevent colon cancer is through regular checkups, limiting fat, exercising regularly, and increasing fiber in your diet by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Also, you should stop smoking, and limit your alcohol intake.

Include routine colon screening in your healthcare every year after age 50 and before if you have a family history of colon cancer. With recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, success rates for treating colon cancer have increased. And, like most medical conditions, the earlier the condition is diagnosed the better the potential for a successful treatment protocol.

An Overview Of Colon Cancer


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