The earlier in life we know about colon cancer, say before turning 40 years of age, the better we are able to avoid the some of the factors that cause this sickness. The age of 40 is when an individual typically becomes prone to colon cancer development. In the United States, colon cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. If detected early, this type of cancer is very treatable; however, only less than 40% of colon cancer cases are detected at its early stage.
What Is Colon Cancer?
The colon and rectum comprise some of the parts of the large intestine. Colon cancer always starts in the large intestines. It is also called colorectal cancer since the colon and rectum are the organs affected by the cancer.
What Causes Colon Cancer?
Medical researchers have still not identified the exact origins of colon cancer but this disease has a high probability to occur in people with high risk factors. The risk factors identified by colon cancer researchers include:
- Alcohol
- Genetics
- Diet
- Age
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Genetic predisposition of developing colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) or familial adenomatous polyposis
- Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol intake, obesity and overweight, high fat and low fiber diet, poor vegetable and low fruit intake
- Little physical activity
- Diabetes
- Environment
- Social Status, Race and Ethnicity
What Are Colon Cancer Symptoms?
Sometimes colon cancer does not manifest any symptoms at all and for some people, sadly, the symptoms may only reveal themselves when the disease has already developed to an advanced stage. Listed below are some of the symptoms caused by colon cancer:
- Modifications in Bowel Patterns – A person who may consistently excrete thinner stools and continues to experience bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea may be suffering from colon cancer
- Pain in the Abdomen – The pain and swelling of the stomach happens when the intestine is obstructed by a tumor.
- Loss of Weight – The constant pain emanating pain from the tumor in the stomach can lead to appetite loss.
- Blood Seen in the Stool – The evidence of blood in the feces is one of the most typical symptoms of this cancer.
Treatments
- Surgery – These include ovarian, adrenal or lung resection; liver resection and bowel resection.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy – Monoclonal antibody therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Gene therapy
The progression of colorectal cancer can depend on the family history, severity and the duration of the disease. Recent innovations in colorectal cancer screening have led to the improvement in the application as well as quality of testing tools.
I was only 35 when I was medically diagnosed as colon cancer. We never expected it. I was young. I never had a colonoscopy or laboratory work before the diagnosis. We just noticed it right after I had an abdomen obstruction and went through an emergency. During the operation, my doctor found a polyp near my ileocecal area. It was already 10 inches wide in size. We sent the specimen for biopsy. Then, after weeks, the result was positive. It was already stage 3. That was almost two years ago. After I acquired a year of treatment, I can say I feel better now. I’m not yet a survivor, but I’m better.
At the time, I was 32 years old and although taking treatment for 1 year, no benefits. I was told I looked good and to take more vitamins. Years later, I ended up at the hospital needing four units of blood until finally they started listening to me. A few weeks later, a tumor was found on the right side, and I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I began chemo six weeks later. The symptoms like problem in bowel movement, blood in the stool, abdomen pain. The chemo-treatment really helpful for me, now I feel better.
I had cancer in my appendix and my appendix ruptured and recovered itself; scabbed over by fixing itself to my colon. This triggered it to colon cancer. I did not go for chemotherapy those days. Within two years melanoma had revealed up in my lung I went through chemotherapy and two years later, I am 100% free from cancer.
In 1997, I was diagnosed with colon cancer, at the age of 49. Symptoms were chronic pain in the left abdomen, and bleeding and obstruction. I had a partial resection of the left colon, and no chemo was required. I recovered quickly and returned to my job.