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Colon Cancer Research Paper

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Colon cancer has an excellent prognosis when diagnosed early, with 92 percent of patients living longer than five years who were diagnosed during Stage 1. Preventing colon cancer through a healthy diet and getting regular colonoscopies is crucial in diagnosing the cancer at an early stage.

Cancers of the large intestine, or colon, and cancers of the rectum are lumped together as colorectal cancer. It often begins from benign clumps of cells called polyps. As time passes, the polyps sometimes become cancerous.

Symptoms

Though signs of colon cancer don't typcally occur until it is further advanced, the symptoms include:

rectal bleeding or blood in the stool persistant abdominal pain increased pain from gas or cramps change in bowel habits, …show more content…

Family history or symptoms may make this screening occur earlier. There are several ways to diagnose the cancer. In a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a small, flexible viewing tube into the rectum. Any polyps that are found can be removed and sent to a pathologist to be examined. A barium enema involves patients drinking a white substance containing barium that helps the intestines to show up on x-rays. A blood test that tests for tumor markers of colon cancer may also be performed.

Treatment

Surgery is often the initial treatment for the cancer. The tumor, a portion of the intestines and lymph nodes are surgically removed and sent to a pathologist for examination. The healthy portion of the intestines are then re-attached. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, chemotherapy is used to kill the remaining cancer cells.

Prevention

The best way to prevent cancer from developing is removing polyps while they are benign or precancerous. Regular screenings are required to find the polyps. Additionally, doctors recommend that all patients 40 and over have their stool tested for blood and have their rectum physically examined on an annual

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