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Colon Cancer

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is the third-most common form of cancer in the world, with over 650,000 deaths per year. It is found in the form of cancerous growths in the colon, or large intestine, as well as the rectum and appendix. Colon cancer cells can also cause damage to adjacent tissues and organs, as well as break away and spread to other parts of the body to form new tumors. If it is diagnosed early on, though, it is often curable.

There are many screening methods for colon cancer. The most popular method in the United States is a colonoscopy, where a lighted probe is inserted into the rectum and colon to look for growths and abnormalities. During a colonoscopy, any growths that are found can be removed immediately and taken to be tested to find out if the growths are benign or cancerous.

Symptoms

The symptoms that result from colon cancer depend on the location of the tumors and whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. If colon cancer spreads, it typically goes to the liver first. Most symptoms of colon cancer can occur in other diseases, though, making it unreliable to diagnose without screening.

Some of the symptoms include:

diarrhea or constapation
blood in the stool
bowel obstruction, which is typically characterised by constipation, abdominal pain, and vomiting
symptoms occuring in other areas if the cancer has spread.

The risks of developing colon cancer can vary, but the chances of contracting it generally increase with age. Those over 50 are much more likely to get colon cancer, unless there is a family history of early colon cancer. In fact, a history of cancer alone creates a significant risk, especially for those who have already been diagnosed and treated. Smoking is another major risk factor, as smokers are most at least 30% more likely to die from the disease than non-smokers.

There are many other risk factors as well, including diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. The thing to remember is that it can generally be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. A colon cleanse can also be useful in preventing colon cancer, as during a cleanse toxins are eliminated from the colon and there is less chance of tumors developing.