Ten Mind-illuminating Facts About Colon Cancer

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1. Colon cancer is a disease of the bowel.
• Colon is part of the large intestine which is in the lower part of the digestive system.
• These are precancerous cells that grow out of control and like any other cancer types; it can spread to other parts of the body.
• In most cases it involves the end of the colon (rectum), thus the term colorectal cancer is used.

2. Colon cancer initially begins as polyps.
• These are benign growth in the mucosal lining of the colon.
• They are confined in the colon and don’t spread to adjacent tissues but there are common types of polyps that can potentially develop into cancer cells over time.

3. Colon cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer.
• It ranked numbed two next to lung cancer.
• Within five years after being diagnosed, people die from poor prognosis of the disease.

4. Colon cancer presents no early warning signs.
• Symptoms of colon cancer may not be specific to the disease.
• They are often subtle that even the person may feel nothing at all and are considered to be at average risk group.

5. Colon cancer is common in middle-aged group.
• It is sometimes connoted that it is a preserved disease of older men.
• People aged 50 and above with other several associated risk factors particularly men have a greater chance of getting colon cancer. In fact about nine out of 10 gets the disease.
• Screening is recommended to be incorporated as part of the routine care of high risk group.
• This is highly effective in finding polyps that can be removed before it becomes cancer.

6. Unusual rectal bleeding is strongly linked to colon cancer.
• Though blood in the stool and stain on toilet paper after bowel movement may be associated with other conditions like internal hemorrhoids or fistulas, most often than not, painless rectal bleeding is present on most patient diagnosed with colon cancer.

7. Colon cancer cure is possible.
• Among all types of cancer, colon carcinoma is one of the easiest forms to detect.
• Early detection, diagnosis and prompt treatment are the key to cure the disease.
• When treated at an early stage, patient survives.
• Stage I, II and III are possibly curable but not stage IV.

8. Colon cancer treatment varies.
• The seriousness and severity of the disease and mortality rate is determined through cancer staging.
• Treatment options and management depends on the extent of cancer cell growth.
• This may include surgery (colectomy), chemotherapy and radiation to kill cancer cells and tissues.
• Periodic evaluation is needed for identification of cancer cell recurrence.

9. Acquiring colon cancer is defined by what you put in your platter.
• What you eat will definitely result to what you get.
• An unhealthy diet means high and regular consumption of carcinogens which are cancer cell nutrients.
• Reduction of risk can be best achieved through lifestyle modification.

10. Colon cancer complications may arise following bowel resection.
• The surgical intervention for colon cancer is called partial colectomy.
• Gastrointestinal complications are the most common post operative problems of cancer patients may physically and emotionally disconcerting.
• Chronic diarrhea is a post treatment consequence that challenges survivors.
• On the contrary, constipation may occur as a result of inactivity. Severe constipation can possibly lead to fecal impaction and obstruction (a medical emergency) that can be life-threatening.
• Other systems of the body can be compromised and the progression of the symptoms may eventually lead to death.

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