Colon Cancer - Causes Of Colon Cancer

Causes of colon cancer

Colon related diseases and incorrect eating habits are said to increase the risk of colon cancer. High fiber diet (i.e. vegetables and fruits) can help in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is also linked to genes and there are theories that suggest that people with family history of colon cancer are at greater risk of developing colon cancer.

However, colon cancer is generally found in older people i.e. people who are above the age of 50. Frankly speaking, the exact and specific causes of colon cancer are still not known and there is a lot of research underway to find the same.

Symptoms and diagnosis of colon cancer

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, blood spots in stool or any unusual bowel related activity/uneasiness can be a symptom of colon cancer. However, these are not conclusive symptoms of colon cancer since these could be just normal digestion related problems.

In any case, you should get the advice of a qualified doctor and tell him all the symptoms properly in order to facilitate fast and correct diagnosis. The doctor may prescribe certain tests/ examinations for proper diagnosis of colon cancer.

Most colon cancer tests require empty bowel, so you need to do a bit of preparation before going for the tests. Special kind of x-ray tests and colonoscopy (that uses a fiber-optic camera or colon scope) is used to diagnose colon cancer.

These tests can be a bit painful since they require insertion of instruments/ substances through your anus to your colon. Biopsy is also used as a technique for detecting colon cancer.

Treatment of colon cancer

Effectiveness of the treatment of colon cancer is governed by how early it is detected/ diagnosed. There are various ways of treating colon cancer and researchers are always looking for newer and better ways of treating colon cancer.

However, as of now, surgical procedures are one of the prime treatments for colon cancer. The objective is to remove all the cancerous tissues and hence prevent the cancer from spreading. Other treatments of cancer include application of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

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Colon Cancer: American Joint Committee On Cancer

Today, the most common used system for the staging of colon cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer's (AJCC) TNM staging system. This staging system places patients into one of four stages (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV).

American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System

Stage 0 Colon Cancer

In Stage 0, the colon cancer is found in the innermost lining of the colon only. Stage 0 colorectal cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.

Stage I Colon Cancer

In Stage I, the colon cancer has begun to spread, but is still in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. In Stage I, the colon cancer has not reached the outer wall of the colon. Another name for Stage I colorectal cancer or Duke A.

Stage II Colon Cancer

In Stage II, the colon cancer extends more deeply into and/or through the colon or rectum. The colon cancer may have invaded nearby tissue. In Stage II, it the colon cancer has not reached lymph nodes (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures found throughout the body that filter substances in a fluid call lymph to help fight infection and disease. Another name for Stage II colorectal cancer or Duke B.

Stage III Colon Cancer

In Stage III, the colon cancer has spread to lymph nodes, but has not been carried to distant parts of the body. Another name for Stage III colorectal cancer or Duke C.

Stage IV Colon Cancer

In Stage IV, the colon cancer has been carried through the lymph system to distant parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. The most likely organs to experience metastasis from colorectal cancer are the lungs and liver. Another name for Stage IV colorectal cancer or Duke D.

Recurrent Colon Cancer or Cancerous Cells

Recurrent colon cancer is the return of cancerous cells that have already been treated. The cancerous cells could return as colorectal cancer, and/or return in any other part of the body.

Colon Cancer: Identifies Soon Symptoms

Colon Cancer: Identifies Soon Symptoms The colon (together with the rectum) are part of the large intestine (bowel). The colon is a muscular tube that is about five feet long. It absorbs water and nutrients from food passing through. The rectum, the lower six inches of the digestive tract, serves as a holding place for stool, which then passes out of the body through the anus. The colon is divided into four sections: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.

Most colorectal cancers arise in the sigmoid colon -- the portion just above the rectum. They usually start in the innermost layer and can grow through some or all of the several tissue layers that make up the colon and rectum. Cancer can, however, develop in any portion of the colon. The extent to which a cancer penetrates the various tissue layers of the colon determines the stage of the disease.

What is Colon Cancer? Colon and rectal cancers are the second most prevalent type after lung cancer among men, and the third most prevalent after breast cancer and lung cancer in women. Most colorectal types grow slowly over a period of several years, often beginning as small benign growths called polyps.

Removing these polyps early, before they become malignant, is an effective means of preventing colorectal cancer. If the epithelia cells (the cells in the mucous membrane of the colon) turn cancerous and begin to grow and replicate in an abnormal and uncontrolled way, the body cannot organize these cells for normal function and the cells form a mass that is called a tumor. Malignant tumors in the colon can eventually penetrate through the colon and spread to other parts of the body, crowding and destroying normal cells.

Everyone is potentially at risk of developing colon cancer at some point in their lifetime. Although colon cancer occurs mostly in mature individuals, it can also occur in younger men and women as well. Some of the risk factors include a personal history of colonic or rectal polyps, a personal or family history of colon or rectal cancer, and certain conditions, such as chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) and Crohn's disease. Diet also appears to be a factor in the development of colon cancer.

While the above warning signs can occur even in individuals without colon cancer, if someone does exhibit these symptoms, appropriate diagnostic procedures should be recommended in order to rule out colon cancer.

Colon cancer generally grows slowly over a period of years. Once the cancer breaks through the colon, it can enter blood or the lymphatic system grow and spread very rapidly. As the cancer grows, it often spreads into the liver and the lungs. It can also spread to the bones, especially in the pelvis. Depending on the location of the tumor, it can also spread to the clavicle.

The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for colon cancer in individuals without any symptoms commence at age 50. Screening should consist of a yearly digital rectal examination (DRE) and a fecal occult bloot test (FOBT). Sigmoidoscopies, preferably flexible endoscopic sigmoidoscopies, should occur every three to five years. For anyone with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has had colon cancer under the age of 55, screening should start by age 40.

Facts - Colon Cancer Is the second leading of death from cancer in the U.S. Over 50% of all new cases of colon cancer involve metastasis by the time of diagnosis Approximately 102,900 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year. Approximately 48,100 Americans will die from colon cancer this year. 80 to 90 million Americans are at risk of developing colon cancer If colon cancer is detected and treated early, the survival rate is high.

Why You May Have a Claim According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, medical errors are responsible for at least 44,000 deaths each year in the United States and possibly as many as 98,000 each year. The following are among the more common forms of negligence or medical malpractice by physicians in diagnosing and/or treating colon cancer: 

Failing to perform a routine digital rectal examination (DRE); Failing to identify a cancerous mass in the rectum or lower colon during a routine digital rectal examination; Failing to perform a screening sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy; Failure to order appropriate diagnostic examinations (such as a colonoscopy) to test for colon cancer when a patient exhibits symptoms that can be caused by colon cancer; Misinterpreting the biopsy results; Failing to react to biopsy findings; Failing to recommend appropriate treatment options; and Failing to follow-up with the patient. The above are only examples and are by no means intended to be an exhaustive list of acts of malpractice. If you suspect that your doctor failed to detect and/or properly treat your colon cancer, you should contact a competent attorney immediately.

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Cancer Colon: About Colon Cancer

Cancer Colon: About Colon Cancer Usually, it starts as polyps which are little growths inside the colon or the rectum. Colon polyps are very common though not all of them turn out to become cancer. However, it is very difficult to tell ahead which polyp will graduate to cancer and which one will not. This is why it is very important for people over 50 years old to go for test and ascertain if they have any polyps and if there is, it is necessary that they be removed.

What makes this particular type of cancer to be very dangerous is that it does not have any known symptom or the symptom may hide until it begins to spread. But while observing your body, which is a normal thing to do, if you notice the following symptoms in your body, you should try to see a doctor, because probably, colon cancer might be in place.

*Pain in the stomach (belly) 
*When you begin to notice blood in your stool or you notice that your stool is unusually hard. 
*When you are experiencing constant spooling or you notice that your bowels are not completely emptied after trying to do so, colon cancer may be in the pipeline.

In order to be sure that you are free from colorectal cancer, or to know if you have one, the first thing to do is to subject yourself to thorough medical check up. You have to go for a test called Colonoscopy. This test helps the doctor to see the entire inside of the colon and the rectum.

The doctor will then, either remove the polyps, if there is any, or take tissue samples from areas that he thinks that are not normal. He will then examine these tissues through a microscope to be fully sure if there is any atom of colon cancer or not. There are other tests that can be carried out to know if there is colon cancer in the body or not, and this type of tests are called Barium enema or sigmoidoscopy.

In treating colon cancer, there are many methods of doing so, but the most common means of treatment is by surgery. Surgery is simply a process of removing the cancer when it is detected and the best time for the surgery is at the early stage of development. However, if the cancer has spread to the walls of the colon, it may not necessary need surgery; rather, more advanced method will be applied. This advanced method is called radiation or chemotherapy. 

Though these methods have side effects, with proper home care and medicine, it can be taken managed. When somebody discovers that he or she has cancer, it is advised that the person should seek for counseling or advice from a doctor instead of keeping quiet and he or she will be advised on what to do thereby reducing the tension that might occur because of the cancer. Also it is necessary that the person should try and meet with people suffering from cancer like him and know how they are coping. No matter how upset the person may be, it is advised that he should not keep quiet, but rather go out and seek for counsel.

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Colon Cancer Is Cancer Of The Large Intestine (Colon)

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. About 112,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer annually in the United States of America. This data was released by the American Cancer Society. Most new cases of colon cancer begin with small cell clumps. They are called Adenomatous Polyps.

Over time some of these clumps develop into dangerous cancer cells. In general, cancer occurs when healthy body cells turn into "enemies" inside your own body. A patient will not see any early symptoms before the actual cancer cells have developed. One reason why early pre-screening examinations provide the best protection from colon cancer to develop into the dangerous illness it can be.

Common signs of colon cancer include (but are not limited to) changes in bowel habits, blood in a patients stool, recurring cramping, gas, bloating or even abdominal pain. Blood in your stool may be an early sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other conditions like hemorrhoids or minor tears in your anal area. Recurring blood found in your stool should trigger a visit to your primary care physician as a precaution (rather safe than sorry).

Risk factors that might may increase your risk of becoming sick with colon cancer. Age is a large risk factor. The typical patient is 50 years or older in age. A family history of cancer, especially colon cancer could indicate that you have a higher risk of becoming sick. Long-standing inflammatory diseases of the colon can put you at higher risk of colon cancer.

Colon cancer may be associated with a bad diet that is low in fiber and very high in fat and calories (Junk Food). Scientists have not fully agreed on this last item, but in general a diet that contains a lot of Junk Food (Burgers, Fries, Fried Food in general, etc.) is high in bad fats which has already shown to affect a patient's health in a very negative way. If you are more of couch potato and less the active guy or gal, you might have a higher risk of getting colon cancer.

Diabetics also face a possible higher risk of colon cancer. This list can be expanded easily by adding obesity, large alcohol consumption and smoking. Just keep in mind that these are just pieces that can increase the risk of getting colon cancer. It does not mean that smoking (just to mention an example) will cause colon cancer. You would probably die of lung cancer first.

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Colon Polyps: Is ustes smoker or overweight?

Colon Polyps: Is ustes smoker or overweight? Anyone can have colon polyps, especially if you're over 50, are a smoker or overweight, eat a diet high in fat, low in fiber, or have a family history of polyps or colon cancer.

Most often colon polyps don't have any symptoms and are found during regular screening where they can be removed and tested. In the later stages colon cancer can be fatal, so early detection is key.

The research on polyps and exercise focused on just about 1,000 patients at a municipal hospital serving a diverse community, all of varying ethnic and racial groups, Hispanic, Asian, black and white, all middle aged and with no elevated risk for either colon polyps or cancer. Almost two thirds were considered overweight. About half were active for at least one hour per week.

A screening questionnaire helped find participants who were not at a higher risk for colon cancer. After screening colonoscopies the team from New York City's Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, found polyps in 33% of patients who exercised less than an hour each week, compared to 25% of patients who exercised for an hour (or more) per week.

The activity we're talking about here wasn't anything out of the ordinary - walking, climbing stairs and the like.

This surprisingly small amount of exercise cut the chance of adenomas in those who were classed as overweight and black. The cancer risk also went down for black study participants. Exercise, over time (a period of three years was used in the research), provided increased protection from the colon polyps.

The benefits even hold across weight ranges and ethnic groups. And while there's been research in this area many times over, not many studies have looked at how exercise effects a multi-ethnic population. African-Americans are heavily effected by colon cancer, as are the overweight or obese.

The researchers tell us these findings aren't anything new, but rather confirmation of what healthcare pros have been telling us all along - get moving. It's not just good for those cancerous colon polyps, but for all parts of the body.

No one knows there are benefits from exercising, though there are plenty of theories. Not to mention figuring out which exercises, and what intensity, bring the most benefit to the body. The good news is that even if you don't have lots of time in your life... or the resources to join a gym or hire a personal trainer, simple, everyday activity can really help your body. Totally do-able for most of us.

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Cancer: Colon Cancer Disease Crohn's

Cancer: Colon Cancer Disease Crohn's If you have been suffering from Crohn's disease over an extended period of time, you are said to be at a greater risk of developing cancer.

During this period of 8 to 10 years, the entire colon gets affected. The possibility of a cancerous risk is however less if you have been suffering from this disease for only a few years and the disease has affected only a part of your colon. You are at the lowest risk if only the rectum has been affected. If other areas of the digestive tract other than the colon get affected, you are at a very minimal risk of getting cancer.

You have to be always alert to detect symptoms of Crohn's disease and cancerous colon. You need to always rule out the possibility of cancer with Crohn's disease. It is thus important to clearly study the onset of symptoms, its frequency as well as its intensity.

The early symptoms of the Crohn's disease are very similar to any other inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD). The most common symptoms are that of diarrhea and rectal bleeding. These symptoms may not cause any concern but it is advisable to make a visit to your gastroenterologist every year if you have been suffering from Crohn's for a long time. 

The disease is detected through colonoscopy. Through this examination, the gastroenterologist studies the appearance of your colon and takes biopsies if required to examine any affected tissue. Colonoscopy is not a completely reliable method to detect any presence of cancerous cells. Presently, this study with multiple biopsies is considered the most reliable method for study of cancer.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Fever
Vomiting
Rectal bleeding
Weight loss
Constipation
Skin rashes
Arthritis
Inflammation of the eye
Flatus and bloating
You can find reddish, tender skin nodules, inflammation of the joints, eyes, liver and spine.

A colon cancer is not a must in every patient suffering from Crohn's. There is plenty of information available on the internet if you would like to get convinced further on this. You can even check with your doctor to get further information.

There is enough literature available on the possibility of developing cancer. You can also get a clear understanding about your condition and the do's and don'ts that you need to follow. All that you have to do is have regular checkups, lead a healthy lifestyle and most importantly have positive thinking.

Crohn's disease and cancerous colon do not necessarily go hand in hand. If you have been suffering from this disease for long, you can rule out the possibility of a cancerous risk by seeing a gastroenterologist.

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