Colon Cancer

Colon cancer symptoms are often so subtle that they are mistaken for less serious conditions. For some people, there are no clear symptoms. Colon cancer affects about 7 percent of the population in the United States each year. Because colon cancer symptoms are not recognized by many people, the colonoscopy screening is extremely important for early detection of this disease.

The cause of colon cancer remains a medical mystery. Certain risk factors have been identified including: * Adults over age 50 * Eating a diet high in animal fats * Inactive lifestyle * Prior bowel problems such as colitis or Crohn's disease * Smokers and heavy consumers of alcohol

Genetics and ethnicity also play a role in colon cancer. A family history of colon cancer in first degree relatives places a person at increased risk. Ethnicity also seems to slant the risk of colon cancer toward Jewish people from Eastern European countries, Hispanics and African Americans. People who have one or more of the colon cancer risk factor both lifestyle and genetic/ethnicity need more frequent screenings and must pay careful attention to any colon cancer symptoms.

As part of the examination, the physician will ask about awareness of any symptoms such as blood in the stool, cramping, bloating, vomiting, sudden weight loss, change in stools or diarrhea. Next a digital rectal exam is done by the physician who inserts a gloved finger into the rectal area to feel is any abnormalities are present. A fecal occult blood test is simple, painless process in which the patient collects small amounts of stools over several days. These are analyzed at a lab for blood traces which can be a colon cancer symptom.

If needed, the physician may order a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. The sigmoidoscopy inserts a device to view the lower colon and removes polyps found. A colonoscopy is similar process except it views the entire length of the colon. With either procedure, the polyps or tissues removed are sent to a lab for analysis. This information helps the physician in making a diagnosis of colon cancer and determining at what stage the cancer has progressed.

After lab reports confirm the presences of colon cancer, physician and oncologist report the disease at one of these stages: * Stage 0 is the early stage in which cancer is only in the colon lining. * Stage I shows that cancer is present in the inner walls of the colon. * Stage II is where the cancer spreads outside the walls of the colon and invades other tissues but is not found in any lymph nodes. * Stage IV is the most serious level in which the colon cancer has moved outside of the colon and entered other organs, primarily the lungs and the liver. * Recurrent is the description of cancer which returns after prior treatment was concluded and considered to have been successful. Colon cancer may recur in the colon or in another organ of the body.

Colon cancer symptoms lead to diagnosis and the determination of the cancer stage gives physicians information needed to make treatment plans.

Colon Cancer And Odor |