Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Guide

Colon Cancer

One kind of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum is called cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer. Although it’s one of the most prevalent tumors in the world, results can be greatly enhanced by early detection and treatment. We’ll look at cancer symptoms, causes, and available treatments in this extensive overview.

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Signs of Colorectal Cancer

• Modifications to Bowel Habits: Constipation, persistent diarrhea, or changes in the consistency of the stool may be signs of cancer.
• Rectal Bleeding: If bleeding occurs from the rectum or there is blood in the stool, it may indicate colon cancer, particularly if it is ongoing.
• Abdominal Discomfort: Constantly occurring cramps, bloating, or persistent abdominal pain may be signs of a colon issue.
• Weakness and Fatigue: Anemia brought on by colon cancer can make a person feel weak, exhausted, and breathless.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Excessive weight loss that happens quickly could be a sign of advanced colon cancer.

Reasons for Colon Cancer

• Genetic Factors: Hereditary diseases like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis, as well as a family history of colon cancer, can raise the risk.
• Age: After the age of fifty, the risk of colon cancer increases, with older persons being more likely to get it.
• Lifestyle Factors: Colon cancer can arise as a result of a poor diet high in red and processed meats, low fiber intake, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Over time, illnesses including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease raise the chance of colon cancer.
• Prior Cancer History: People who have experienced prior cancers, such as breast or ovarian cancer, may be more susceptible to cancer.

Identification and Screening

• Colonoscopy: The gold standard for screening for cancer, a colonoscopy enables medical professionals to view the colon and rectum and identify any anomalies or polyps.
• The non-invasive Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): looks for blood clots in the stool, which may indicate precancerous polyps or cancer.
• CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy): A colon CT scan can yield fine-grained pictures for the purpose of identifying cancers or polyps.
• Comparable to a colonoscopy: but limited to the lower portion of the colon is the flexible sigmoidoscopy.
• Genetic Testing: To determine their risk, people with a family history of cancer or specific genetic syndromes may find it helpful to undergo genetic testing.’

Options for Treatment

• Surgery: Surgically removing the tumor and surrounding tissue is the primary treatment for colon cancer in its early stages. An ileostomy or colostomy may be required in specific circumstances.
• Chemotherapy: To eradicate cancer cells and lower the chance of recurrence, chemotherapy may be suggested either before or after surgery.
• Radiation Therapy: In cases of rectal cancer, radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy or surgery.
• Targeted therapy: Specific targeting and growth inhibition of cancer cells can be achieved with targeted medications like bevacizumab or cetuximab.
• Immunotherapy: In cases of advanced or metastatic colon cancer, immunotherapy medications like pembrolizumab or nivolumab may be utilized to enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells.

In summary

Although colon cancer is a dangerous disease, survival rates have increased dramatically as a result of early identification and treatment advancements. Through early detection of the disease, awareness of risk factors, and routine screening, people can take preventative measures to avoid cancer or find it when it’s still treatable. See a medical expert for advice and suitable screening options if you have any symptoms or are worried about your risk .