March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Centers for Disease Control and Management (CDC) estimates that as many as sixty percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.

Cancer of the colon or rectum, referred to as colorectal cancer, is the 2nd highest cause of death for men and women in the United States. however, when found early through screening, it is highly curable and in many cases preventable. because colorectal cancer can have no symptoms in the early stages, the key to detection is through screening beginning at age 50 and repeated every 5 to 10 years as directed by your physician. Earlier screening may be advised if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of polyps or colorectal cancer. In females a history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or polyps in themselves or family members is also a reason to start screenings earlier than age 50. Colorectal cancer often begins as polyps or benign growths in the surface of the colon and removing these polyps early prevents them from becoming cancerous.

Symptoms that may indicate later stage cancer can include rectal bleeding, stomach pain or change in bowel habits resulting in constipation or diarrhea. these symptoms should be reported to your physician immediately.

The best type of screening is a colonoscopy. This is a painless procedure that may take place on an outpatient basis, and does not take a large amount of time. A light anesthesia is used, and a tiny camera is sent through the colon where it can detect abnormalities and polyps. If polyps are found, they can be removed at this time without difficulty. the scope, in which the camera is attached, also has a small loop that is placed around the polyp to remove it by shaving it off the lining of the colon. the polyp is sent to a lab for biopsy, which will reveal if it is cancerous or benign. It is important to know that benign polyps may turn cancerous if not detected and removed early.

A virtual colonoscopy uses CT scan images to construct a 3-D model of the colon. It can detect polyps, tumors and other abnormalities just as a colonoscopy using a camera does. the main drawback is that if a polyp is found, even a small one, a colonoscopy will then be needed to remove and evaluate the polyp.

X-rays of the colon can also be performed using barium as a contrast agent. the barium is inserted through an enema and must be held in the colon until the x-rays are completed. again if any polyps, tumors or abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy must be done to remove and evaluate the polyp.

The CDC encourages that colorectal cancer survival rates are high when detected early.

The American Cancer Society recommends regular physical activity and exercise along with achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and, while not conclusive, some medical experts recommend a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables and grains in order to reduce risk. This type of diet, according to the CDC, may reduce the risk of other chronic conditions as well, such as coronary artery disease or diabetes.

Taking these steps along with routine colonoscopy screening, may reduce your odds of developing colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor soon about this simple yet effective evaluation.

Colon cancer, one of the most common illnesses in the country may form from abnormal cells called polyps that get bigger and form clusters. These types of cancerous cells have the ability to grow and spread throughout the body.

Those at risk of acquiring the disease include individuals with a family history of the disease and those in the age bracket of 50 and up.  Individuals carrying the genetic make-up may opt for screening for early intervention. several risk factors also include a previous battle with cancer, a family history of the illness, poor diet, smoking and obesity.

Symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases and it can be difficult to get an accurate assessment. Medical attention should be sought if an individual experiences abnormal bleeding, weakness, pale complexion or abdominal expansion without weight gain, nausea, any change in bowel movements or weight loss. Patients are recommended to be screened regularly for the presence of cancer-causing factors.

Untreated cancerous cells can lead to the need for further surgery and intense treatments.  A cancer may become so advanced that it will not respond to treatment at all. In seeking medical attention, the patient may undergo a series of tests that can detect and diagnose colon cancer. A physician will be able to answer any questions that a patient may have regarding treatment options and the survival chances.

While certain medicines may help to prevent diseases, physical activities or exercise and a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to reduce the risks.

Colon Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of colon cancer, but they do know that it usually starts as small growths on the inside of the colon called polyps. Colon Cancer Symptoms and Treatment these polyps can take years to grow large enough to be seen during a routine colonoscopy and then it takes several more years for those polyps to become cancerous.

While the exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, there are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing this cancer. a risk factor is something that can raise the chances of you developing cancer or another disease. Some risk factors, such as age, cannot be changed while others, such as diet, can be modified and reduce the risk. The risk factors for colon cancer range from age to hereditary diseases.

The first risk factor for colon cancer is the most common. It is your age. Approximately 90% of all colon cancer cases are found in people over the age of 50. many of these cases have no other risk factors, making this the most important factor in developing this cancer. this is why many doctors suggest getting a colonoscopy as part of your annual exam starting at age 50.

Another risk factor for developing colon cancer is your family’s medical history and any hereditary diseases that may affect the development of colon polyps. if a member of your immediate family (parents, siblings, or children) has had colon cancer, you are more likely to develop it. The risk depends upon how many relatives have had it, how old they were when they were diagnosed and if the history spans multiple generations. this is referred to as a strong family history of colon cancer and may be caused by genetic mutations. these mutations are more common in certain ethnic groups, such as Jews of Eastern European heritage. if this is your case, you may want to have a blood test to check for any genetic mutations.

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These genetic changes can cause several conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). All of these genetic conditions can develop into colon cancer, if left untreated. these conditions are rare and few of the people diagnosed with colon cancer actually have them.

Your medical history also contributes to your risk of developing colon cancer. Your risk is higher if you have had any cancer in the past. Large polyps, even after removal, can increase your chances of developing colon cancer. There are also certain diseases that can increase your risk of colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

The final – and easiest to change – risk factors are diet, exercise and habits. a high fat, high calorie and high protein diet has been shown to increase the chances of you developing colon cancer. this type of diet may also contribute to another risk factor, weight. Lack of exercise also contributes to your risk. you can minimize these three risk factors by making some simple changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables and beginning exercise. these two changes will help you lose weight and improve your diet. Smoking and drinking also contribute to colon cancer risk. Some studies have shown that smoking increases your chance of developing colon cancer. Alcoholics are also at an increased risk for colon cancer because of their alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that drinking more than 2 drinks a day increases the risk of colon cancer.

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Causes ,effects symptoms and treatments of rectal cancer

Rectal cancer: Colon and Rectal are both the part of digestive system. all the waste material is stored in the colon part and the rectal is the end part of the colon which is adjacent to the anus, it is used to store the stool. together the colon and Rectal form the large intestine (large bowel).Rectal cancer occurs in the inner lining of the large intestine. Polyps of large intestine are termed as benign tumors and cancer caused tissue is termed as malignant tumor in the large intestine.

These benign tumor are not cancerous can be removed easily by colonoscopy, benign tumors are not harmful because they don’t spread to other organs. most of the researches believe that cancer in the large intestine is started with polyps. Malignant tumors are cancerous and cause damage to the nearby organs and tissues.

Causes of Rectal cancer: first stage of the rectal cancer is formed by polyps these polyps can be removed easily. if it is not removed in time then it grows in malignant tumor (cancerous tumor) and spreads through out the body and causes death.

• Family history: family history can also be a factor for causing rectal cancer .So, be sure in taking screen test for digestive system. • Increase in age: As age increases they are more chances in facing rectal cancer. • Smoking and alcohols: Smoking and alcohol drinking increases the risk factor of rectal cancer. • High fat foods: Taking of high fat foods decreases the body immune system and increases the risk factors of having rectal cancer.

Symptoms of Rectal cancer: Rectal cancer causes many symptoms which helps us to take medical tests for the early prevention of this cancer.• Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding occurs in the urine due to obstruction made by the tumor mass in the large intestine.

Nausea and vomiting: Body hormone changes, pains, body inflammation, poor blood flow and anxiety are the causing factors of nausea and vomiting.Weight loss: Weight loss occurs due to absence of proper diet. Due to cancer most of the people will experience unexplained weight loss.Obstruction of stool: Due to growth of tumor in the inner lining of the large intestine, it prevents the passage of stool from urine.

Constipation: Constipation occurs during the early stage of the cancer. Constipation means slow movement of body waste through the body. Due to constipation the body faces illness.

Treatment of colon cancer:

The treatment process of rectal cancer is defined by following stages: • Stage 1:if the tumor invades only the first or second inner lining wall of the intestine without attacking lymph nodes, then it is considered as first stage of cancer. • Stage2: if the mesorectum is attacked by the tumor but without attacking the lymph nodes, then this is termed as second stage of cancer. • Stage3:if the lymph nodes are attacked by the tumor , then it is termed as third stage. • Stage4:if the cancer cells spread through out the body , then it is termed as the last stage.

Surgery:Surgery is the best option for stage1 rectal cancer. it can be treated easily by going for surgical operation for the process of removal of polyps (unusual growth of glands) in the large intestine. Surgery is carried to remove the cancer tumor. Surgery can be carried in the early stages of the tumor occurrence. Surgery is taken place only if the cancer is located in only one part of the body. during the surgery process the damaged lymph nodes are also removed along with the tumor. Active surveillance can be taken when the rectal cancer grows slowly. Doctor keeps on monitoring the cancer growth in the body, if it starts to grow rapidly, then you can go for the treatment process at that very time for preventing it from re-occurrence.

Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy treatment process is carried for stage2 and stage3 rectal cancer. Radiotherapy is a process of removing cancer cells by using high intensity x-rays. these high energy x-rays are aimed at the cancer affected part of the body to destroy the cancer cells .this process also causes damage to the normal cells for its side effects.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy treatment process is carried for both stage2 and stag3 rectal cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are called as anti-cancer drugs used to destroy cancer cells .there are many types of chemotherapy drugs available in the market for the treatment of cancer. these drugs are available in the form of pills but mostly given by drip into the blood veins. Surgery and radiotherapy treatment method is performed for the last stage of rectal cancer (metastatic cancer).How ever this stage is not curable but can extent the survival time due to usage of new medications.

Rectal cancer is treated by the following mentioned programs. through out the globe, rectal cancer is the third leading cancer disease in people. Rectal cancer is treated as cancerous disease because of its effects and causes. Treating of Rectal cancer must be carried in the early stages to cure it completely.

Author shares information on causes, symptoms, effects, risk factors, preventions, treatments, prognosis of diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart attack, obesity and also shares information on Men’s health, women’s health, sexual health, mental health, health and fitness, pregnancy, Blood disorders, Muscles, bones and joints, Health issues, and Weight loss.

Related Cancer Articles

1. What is colon cancer?

Cancer is a disease which can affect cells from all organs. The colon cancer affects the cells of the colon, determining them to proliferate in an uncontrollable way. This mass of abnormal cells will form a tumor inside the colon. The cancer of the intestine is quite frequent and two thirds of this type of cancer is situated in the colon.

2. Who can develop colon cancer?

You are at risk of developing colon cancer if you drink a lot of alcohol and you are obese. Also if other members of your family had colon cancer or breast cancer you could inherit some genes that make you more sensible to cancer. If you have polyps on your intestine and you leave them untreated for a long time, they can transform into malign polyps, meaning that cancer had occurred.

3. Is my diet involved in cancer development?

Following a diet which is rich in fats and proteins could expose you to cancer. If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and high fiber foods you can prevent colon cancer from occurring.

4. Does colon cancer come with any symptoms?

There are some symptoms which could announce that cancer is installing, but they also appear in other diseases. some of the symptoms are: seeing blood in your bowels, alternation of diarrhea with constipation, and low abdominal pains.

5. How does the doctor know that I have cancer?

The doctor will perform a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy to examine the insides of the colon. Also x-rays of the colon will be performed. These methods will see if tumors are present inside the colon. In order to stage colon cancer CT and ultrasound will be used.

6. Can colon cancer be treated?

Generally the most indicated procedure in trying to treat colon cancer is surgery. by surgery the doctors will remove the tumor from the colon. If the cancer spread, giving metastasis, the doctors will recommend you chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These are hard bearable due to their side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, fever, and tiredness.

7. Is the treatment effective or not?

If the colon cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and it has not spread to other organs the treatment will be 90% effective and patients will survive even five years after. If the cancer has given metastasis the treatment will not be so effective any more and half of the diagnosed patients will live less that five years.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm

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