Bowel cancer also known as colon and rectal cancer or colorectal cancer for short, is one of the most common types of cancer. it affects around 150,000 people a year in the US alone. given that it is particularly common, it is definitely worth learning more about this condition.

Bowel cancer is characterized by the rapid and uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in this part of the body. it should be pointed out that that the bowel consists of the colon, a long tube connecting the small intestine with the rectum, the rectum itself and the appendix.

The precise causes of this condition remain unknown. However, we know that most types of colorectal cancer develop from polyps. These are tiny tumours forming in the lining of the colon and rectal tubes. most polyps are benign. This means that they cannot lead to cancer. However, some of them are precancerous. These are called adenomatous polyps. the larger the polyp is, the more likely the development of cancer is. despite this, the presence of such polyps does not mean that cancer will develop for sure. for instance, the large adenomatous polyps, which are 2 cm in size or bigger, have only a 40% chance of developing into malignant tumours.

Other bowel cancer risk factors include family history of the condition, other diseases of the colon and rectum, such as Crohn’s disease, and history of certain types of surgery, such as the removal of the gallbladder. a diet rich in fats and poor in fibre can also increase your risk of getting this condition. Smoking can also pose a higher risk. in general, this type of cancer usually affects people who are over 50 years of age. for this reason, aging can be considered a risk fact.

There are usually no symptoms at the early stages of the development of bowel cancer. However, the condition has some serious warning signs that should not be ignored. a sudden, persistent and inexplicable change in the bowel movements is one of the most common bowel cancer symptoms. These include constipation and diarrhoea, but not only. being unable to empty the bowel completely and feeling an urgency to move the bowel are also warning signs. Rectal cramping and rectal bleeding are also causes for concern, even though the latter can be attributed to haemorrhoids.

Changes in the stools are also common bowel cancer symptoms. the presence of dark patches of blood on the stool is a serious warning sign. This is also applicable to the presence of long and thin stools called pencil stools.

Bloating and abdominal discomfort are also common symptoms. Sufferers may experience extreme fatigue and sudden and unexplained weight loss. Pelvic pain is a serious symptom that occurs during the later stages of the development of the condition.

There are various tests for bowel cancer diagnosis. the doctor will usually perform a stool test first. through special testing, blood traces inside the stool can be found. These are early signs of the condition. Colonoscopy is a form of screening, in which the doctor uses a long thin tube to examine the lining of the colon and rectum. Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging and virtual colonoscopy are also used for diagnosis.

There are various forms of bowel cancer treatment that can be used separately or in different combinations. usually a surgery is performed to remove the tumour. then radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are used to destroy abnormal cells and prevent them from spreading. Biological therapy is also applied. Treatment is usually successful if the tumour is diagnosed while it is still localized. in fact, 90% of the patients live for five years or more after treatment. it should be pointed out that if a patient is diagnosed with precancerous polyps these can also be surgically removed.

There are various methods which you can adopt to reduce your risk of getting bowel cancer. Having a healthier diet, rich in vegetables and fruits and not abundant in red meats, is highly recommended. the consumption of fibre-rich foods is quite beneficial. This is applicable to exercising regularly as well. Perhaps the best method for prevention is to have regular screening that includes testing of the stool and possibly colonoscopy, if you are at higher risk of developing the condition.

Tagged with: bowel cancer

Filed under: Bowel Cancer

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