Colon Cancer
Today, colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the US for both men and women. In 2007 there were an estimated 110,000 new cases and more than 50,000 deaths. Not surprisingly, many people want to do all they can to prevent colon cancer.
A good first step towards prevention is to understand colon cancer.
The colon is the “large intestine.” It is responsible for absorbing any nutrients, salts and water from a soupy mix of mostly-digested food passed on from the small intestine. Once processed, nothing is left but waste which is passed on to the rectum, at the end of the colon, in the form of a stool.
Because the colon and rectum are joined, cancer can affect one or both. For this reason colon cancer is often referred to as “colorectal” cancer.
As with all cancers, no one cause of colon cancer has been identified. Instead there are several risk factors known to make some people more likely to develop colon cancer than others. These include age, family history of cancer, diseases and disorders of the colon such as polyps and ulcerative colitis, and an unhealthy diet.
A diagnosis of colon cancer usually begins with screening – tests conducted as a routine preventative measure or because the patient has symptoms of colon cancer. These include routine rectal exams, stool tests and internal exams with lighted scopes.
Any polyps found – tissue growths than can turn cancerous – are removed, often by non-invasive surgery, and a biopsy performed to check for abnormal cells. Often patients are given the “all clear,” and scheduled for regular check ups.
When test results suggest colon cancer, further tests are carried out to confirm or eliminate a diagnosis of colon cancer.
If confirmed, a second phase of tests including x-rays and CT scans is conducted to determine the extent (stage and spread) of the colon cancer and most appropriate course of treatment.
In most cases, colon cancer is treated with surgery. A colostomy is unlikely – colostomies are more common in rectal cancer. Patients may also receive chemotherapy (a treatment that attacks cancer via the bloodstream) and sometimes radiation, for pain management.
Patients who do their best to exercise and eat a healthy, colon-friendly diet before, during and after their course of treatment recover better than those who do not, and are less likely to have a recurrence of colon cancer.
The good news is that colon cancer incidence and mortality rates are falling by about 2% a year. This is due to increased screening for polyps and other colon conditions that increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
If you are over fifty, or at high risk, talk to your doctor about regular colon cancer screening. Dietary and other easy measures for a clean and healthy colon also contribute to a decreased risk of developing colon cancer.
For in-depth information about colon cancer visit the National Cancer Institute’s Colon and Rectal Cancer pages, which include an online booklet “What You Need to Know About Colon and Rectal Cancer.”
