Know Your Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the colon or the last part of the digestive system of humans. This disease can be her by all ages, even though 90% of its victims aged over 60 years.

Most cases of colon cancer is preceded by the formation of vapour are small cells called adenoma polyps. The BLOB then spreads uncontrollably over time.

Symptoms of colon cancer

Here are some symptoms that can be experienced with cancer of the colon, among them:

The presence of blood in the feces or even bleeding anus.
Changing the texture density of impurities.
Decrease in body weight.
The body feels tired.
Pain or cramping in the abdomen.
Flatulence.
The increased frequency of bowel movements or diarrhea.
Constipation.
Lost appetite.

Not all of these symptoms will be felt. Some there are who became frequent bowel movements with blood on a litter and some things are not accompanied by blood, but felt a pain in her stomach.

Meet the doctor immediately if you feel any symptoms of colon cancer, especially if you experience continuous diarrhea with constipation for more than 3 weeks. Please be alert too if you have reached the age of 50 years and over and feel any of these symptoms.

The cause of colon cancer

Cell growth in certain areas of the body that uncontrolled and destructive nature is the cause of cancer. On the disease of colon cancer, the growth starts in the clots intestinal lining cells on the inside, then spread and destroy other cells nearby, or even up to a few other areas of the body.

At first, the cells of the intestinal lining that are produced are not dangerous and have benefits for maintaining normalcy bodily functions. However it is not known what triggers these damaged cells, turn into cancer cells and grow uncontrollably.

Although the cause of colon cancer is not known, the following factors may increase the risk of a person affected by the disease, including:

Eating too much red meat and
Lack of fiber.
Consuming alcoholic beverages.
Smoke
Experience the overweight or obese.
Aged 60 years and over.
Suffering from the disease of digestive disorders, one of which is chronic ulcerative colitis or ulcers in the large intestine.
Suffering from diabetes.
Less exercise.
Have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who is suffering from colon cancer.
Lynch syndrome suffer.
Suffering from a genetic problem that causes the growth of cells or vapour of polyps in the colon. This condition is called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Developmental stages of colon cancer

There are four stages that determine the severity of the disease of colon cancer, among them:

Stage 1. At this stage the cancer has begun to grow in the large intestine, but has not spread because it is still hindered the intestinal wall.
Stage 2. At this stage the cancer has spread to the rest of the wall of the colon, even to pass through.
Stage 3. At this stage the lymph nodes located adjacent to the large intestine have been encroached on by cancer.
Stage 4. This is the most severe level of spread of colon cancer. At this stage the cancer has further spread and invade other body organs, such as the lungs and liver.

The determination of the severity of colon cancer can be done through diagnosis. This is useful in helping the doctor to give a proper treatment.

A diagnosis of colon cancer

To find out whether a patient is suffering from colon cancer, the doctor will first ask the perceived symptoms. In addition, usually the doctor will also ask whether the patient is suffering from a condition that can magnify the risk of developing colon cancer or did have close relatives with cancer of the colon.

After patient explanation was obtained, the doctor will do a simple examination by way of checking the condition of the patient's anus to notice any swelling. A device called a sigmoidoscopy be used doctors if necessary. A sigmoidoscopy is a tool shaped like a small hose fitted lights and cameras in the end to be inserted into the colon via the anus. Through the monitor, the doctor can see whether there are signs of colon cancer.

In addition a sigmoidoscopy, there is some sort of inspection that can be done to find out the whereabouts of colon cancer, especially if only sigmoidoscopy where a doctor is not enough. Some of these checks are:

Colonoscopy.

The concept of this inspection are actually the same as sigmoidoscopy. It's just on colonoscopy, the tool used is longer so that it is able to reach deeper into the colon. A camera mounted on the ends of the colonoscopy was able to provide images of parts of the large intestine which does not normally attack cancer. Even if required, biopsy or sampling can be performed with a special tool supplied on colonoscopy. The next sample is examined in the laboratory in order to detect the presence of cancer. Before doing the colonoscopy, the patient will be given a laxative by a doctor so that her stomach is clean of dirt, so that the results obtained from the observation process will be much better.

Virtual colonoscopy.

This examination also called with the name of CT colonography. This inspection is usually performed if patients can not undergo regular colonoscopy due to medical reasons. In a virtual colonoscopy, a special hose will be inserted into the anus. The gas will then be channeled through the hose, so patients would gut a bit hairy. After that, doctors will be able to observe the State of the colon from all angles with the help of a CT scan.

Colon cancer treatment

Stadium or the severity of cancer will determine the type of treatment to what will be done by a doctor. The following are the three main types of treatment in cases of colon cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a way to kill cancer cells through the grant of a number of drugs. These drugs can be taken tablet shaped, drip, or a combination of both. Some examples of colon cancer drug cetuximab and bevacizumab is.

In the case of colon cancer, chemotherapy is usually done before the surgery with the purpose of rectifying the tumor, relieve the symptoms of a patient, or a perceived slow down the spread of the cancer. Chemotherapy will also be given postoperatively to prevent cancer is back.

The time execution of the chemotherapy is usually divided into several cycles, depending on the severity of the cancer. Most patients usually undergo colon cancer chemotherapy infusion session for several hours or days within a period of two to three weeks. Each cycle of chemotherapy are separated by intervals of rest over the next few weeks with the goal of keeping the sufferer can recover from the effects of chemotherapy. Some side effects of chemotherapy are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Tired
Legs and arms itch or heat
Canker sores
Diarrhea
Hair loss

These side effects usually disappear after chemotherapy treatment is over.

Radiotherapy

The goal is the same as chemotherapy, radiotherapy to kill cancer cells. But in radiotherapy, treatment methods is carried out using a steady stream of radiation.

Before the operation, radiotherapy can be done to minimize the size of the tumor or relieve the symptoms if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While radiotherapy performed postoperatively aims to prevent cancer so as not to return.

Some of the side effects of radiotherapy are:

Be a little extravagant water frequently
Diarrhea
Tired
Nausea
The skin around the anus or pelvic feels the heat

Operation

Types of colon cancer handling operations are performed depends on the severity of the spread of cancer itself. If undiagnosed cancer is still in the early stages, usually through colonoscopy can do surgery to remove the cancerous growth. If not through colonoscopy, then it could be raised through operation ' Keyhole ' or laparoscopy.

The second procedure called a colostomy surgery. This operation is performed if the cancer has spread through the intestinal walls. In this operation, the part of the colon that encroached on cancer will be lifted. In addition, the surrounding lymph nodes will also be lifted.

If the patient's health was very bad due to the spread of cancer are already severe, then the more the purpose of the enforcement operation is to relieve the symptoms of the patient. With a combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the move is expected to increase the chances of a patient's life.

Prevention of colon cancer

We can prevent colon cancer by means of reducing the risk of developing the disease. Indeed some carcinogenic factors, such as family medical history and genetic conditions, can provide a risk for cancer of the colon for undermining someone. But if we go through life healthily, not not impossible that risk will be lost. Some tips for preventing colon cancer is:

A routine exercise.

It is recommended to regularly exercise during two and a half hours in a week. The types of sports that you can do for example is brisk walking or cycling.

Healthy foods.

To avoid the risk of colon cancer, then the food will be much the consumption of fiber, such as one fruit, nuts or cereal. Multiply eat fish and reduced meat consumption

Maintain a healthy weight.

Reduce alcohol drinks.

Avoid cigarette smoke.

If you are active smokers, it is advisable to stop now to avoid the risk of cancer. Whereas if you don't smoke, you should avoid the passive smokers.

Live odds of colon cancer patients

The chances of recovering the sufferer will depend on how severe the cancer has spread by the time undiagnosed. It is estimated about 80 percent of colon cancer patients still have opportunities to live at least one year after the undiagnosed. Even half of the 80 percent of the sufferers could still have a chance to live longer in the future, that is at least 10 years.