Colon Cancer

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms associated with colon cancer are:

1. Presence of blood while passing faeces
2. Presence of mucous in faeces
3. The person may suffer from diarrhoea or constipation.
4. The person may experience discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen.
In certain cases, the person suffering from colon cancer experiences a feeling of lethargy or breathlessness for no apparent reason. The presence of microscopic bleeding from the person's bowel can cause the above mentioned symptoms. The bleeding can cause anaemia in the person.

CAUSES

Even though the real triggers for colon cancer are not yet known, the following factors may trigger colon cancer.

1. POLYPS
Polyps can be either malignant tumours that are cancerous or benign, harmless lumps. They are also termed the adenoma.
2. AGE
If a person is above the age of sixty, the risk of a person developing this cancer is high.
3. FAMILY HISTORY
The persons who have a family history of colon cancer are at a high risk of developing colon cancer.
4. DIET
A person whose diet has high levels of protein as well as fats, but the fibre content is very low is subjected to the risk of developing colon cancer.
5. LIFESTYLE FACTORS
A person who is a regular smoker or an addict to alcohol has higher risk of developing colon cancer. Similarly, a person who is obese is more subjected to the development of colon cancer.
6. MEDICAL CONDITIONS
A person who is suffering from intestinal inflammation or Crohn's disease is subjected to colon cancer.

DIAGNOSIS

A person who is suffering from colon cancer will undergo an internal examination by the physician using lubricated gloves. After that, the screening for bowel cancer is done via faecal occult blood test or performing a biopsy on the samples which were obtained via colonoscopy or sigmoid scope examination.

Further examination may be required in certain cases. They include:

1. Undergoing a CT scan to diagnose the position and size of the tumour.
2. Undergoing ultrasound scan for the abdomen to check the progress of the cancer's spread to other areas.
3. A magnetic resonance imaging.

TREATMENT

The factors that influence in determining the treatment for bowel cancer are:

1. the location and size of cancer
2. stage of cancer's development
3. if is a recurrence of any prior cancer as well as
4. the general health of the affected person.

The various methods of treatment are:

1. SURGERY where the polyps as well as the lymph nodes are removed. At times, the rectum is removed and replaced by the colostomy bag for drainage.
2. CHEMOTHERAPY where the cancerous cells are destroyed by inhibiting their growth.
3. RADIOTHERAPY where the cancerous cells are destroyed to prevent recurring of the cancer.