Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon. It is also referred to as colon cancer. It is mostly found in people over the age of fifty. In the United States alone, it is the second leading cancer killer in the US. Colon cancer has four stages of cancer. The cancer can either be malignant or benign. The anatomy, signs and symptoms and treatments are all very important things to consider when encountering colon cancer.
One of the most common malignancies is colon cancer as it accounts for approximately 1.5 million new cases globally each year (Ferlay et al. 2015). According to the latest research, the frequency of colon cancer has increased suddenly over the past two decades (Shin et al. 2012). According to statistics, colon cancer accounts for about 15% of bodily cancers and is the main reason for mortality in different countries especially the western countries (Johnston 2005). The third most common cancer in the Canada and US is colon cancer. In the United States about 1.5 million new cases of colon cancer were reported each year (Jemal et al. 2008). The chances and a number of years of survival in colon cancer depend on the stage of the tumor.
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.
There are many risk factors for stomach cancer. Gender is a minor risk factor because men are more likely to get stomach cancer than women are. Age is a risk factor as well because most people are over the age of 65 when they are diagnosed with stomach cancer. Ethnicity is a big risk factor because the rate cancer is higher in Hispanics and African-Americans rather than non-Hispanic white. Tobacco use is a risk factor for stomach cancer along with most of every other type of cancer. Smoking doubles the risk for someone to get cancer. It has been proven that people with Type A Blood are more likely to get stomach cancer as well. Some other risk factors are things like bacteria infection, diet, earlier stomach surgery, stomach polyps, and oddly enough, some occupations in coal, metal, and rubber industries are even risk factors of stomach cancer.
Sorry to say, some colon cancers might be present without any signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is very important to have regular colon screenings or (examinations) to detect these problems early. The best screening evaluation is a colonoscopy. On the other hand, most colon cancers are connected with signs or symptoms. One of the early signs of colon cancer is bleeding. Most of the time , tumors often bleed only small amounts, off and on, so that evidence of the blood is found only during chemical testing of the stool, which is called a fecal occult blood test. Other signs and symptoms include:
The colonoscopy is similar to the flexible sigmoidoscopy, however, this scope is inserted into the anus and through the entire colon. It is recommended to get a colonoscopy every 10 years who are at average risk and every two years for those at high, such as individuals with IBD or HNPCC (ACS, 2017). Before the test occurs a bowel prep at home is done in order visualize the lining of the colon during the test (ACS, 2017). Specific instructions regarding medications, bowel prep and eating before the night before the test will be determined by the health care provider
While everyone should begin obtaining regular colonoscopies once they reach the age of 50 (or earlier if there is a history of colon problems in the family), you may need one at a much younger age if your doctor suspects you may have a colon disease, such as ulcerative colitis. If you are experiencing any of the signs of ulcerative colitis, then a colonoscopy is an important part of obtaining an official diagnosis, so you can begin treatment to help control this chronic disease. Read on to find out what to expect when your doctor suspects you have ulcerative colitis.
The signs and symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool, weight loss, change in movements in the bowel and fatigue. Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas because they begin in the cells responsible for making and releasing mucus and other fluids. Colon cancer usually begins as a type of growth known as a polyp which forms in colon or rectum’s inner wall. Some polyps may develop to become cancer after some time. Diagnosing and removing polyps is used to prevent cancer. In the United Kingdom, colon cancer is 3rd most common type of cancer for women and men. However, deaths associated with the cancer have been decreasing after the use of colonoscopies as well as fecal occult blood tests which are used to check for the presence of blood in people’s
If you're approaching your 50th birthday, your doctor may recommend a baseline colonoscopy. The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone should begin colon cancer screening tests at 50 years of age. A colonoscopy is one such test your doctor can order for a baseline and then repeat every ten years thereafter if the tests are negative. If your doctor finds early signs of cancer or polyps, you may need to have more frequent tests to keep an eye on your condition. Here's a look at why this colon cancer test is important for your health and how it's done.
Squamous cell carcinomas cancer is the most common colon cancer in the United States. It is located within the anal canal and around its walls. This sparks my interest because it is quite odd to me that cancer could occur in the anal canal or outside of it. It really shows how cancer can literally occur anywhere in the body. Even Though it is located in the anal canal, the cause of colorectal cancer is usually due to many other reasons that has nothing to do with the colon itself. These causes are the amount of exercise a person have, any smoking or drinking, even if the person is overweight, or attaining HPV. There are also many causes that can not be changed by your lifestyle, for example if you have the genes to have colorectal cancer or
Doctors recommend having regular colonoscopy screenings beginning at age 50, because being over that age is the greatest single risk factor for developing colon polyps. In fact, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=396) estimates that one out of every four seniors has at least one polyp. And that excludes those who have other risk factors for developing colon cancer or other growths. This means about 25 percent
The earlier cancer is detected the better your chances are. Set up regular screening appointments with your doctor, so the doctor can
One of the many goals developed by the United States Government in its Healthy People 2020 campaign was to “reduce the number of new cancer cases, as well as the illness, disability, and death caused by cancer” (Healthy People 2020, 2016). This goal is further broken down by cancer types. The goals for colorectal cancer (CRC) is to reduce the 2007 baseline mortality rate of 17.1 deaths per 100,000 to 14.5 deaths per 100,000 and to increase the proportion of adults to receive colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) based on the most recent guidelines by the year 2020. The American Cancer Society (ACS,
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor coming after abnormal cell proliferation in the large intestine (colon) or in the rectum, the last part in the digestive system. All colon cancers start as benign tumor, which develops into cancer. There are some conditions that increase the risk of having colon cancer, such as being African American or of Eastern European descent; moreover, eating a lot of red meats can be a factor for Colorectal cancer. Colon cancer can be diagnosed by screening test before the tumor develops. If the patient has a risk of having cancer, there will be
The good news is that there are many ways to reduce colon cancer risks, the number one way is through screening. The ACS estimates that less than 50 percent of adults over 50 have been screened for colon cancer even though it is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. James Church surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. He says, "You can’t prevent breast cancer, lung cancer