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Colorectal cancer, often referred to as simply colon cancer, is the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells within the colon and/or rectum. Usually the disease begins with the growth of benign polyps within the colon. Those polyps often turn into cancer without giving any noticeable symptoms.
Although colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, these symptoms may be present with colorectal cancer as well as other serious ailments involving the colon or rectum:
---diarrhea or constipation (prolonged)
---blood in or on stools
---bloating, cramps, feeling of fullness in stomach area
---extreme fatigue
---frequent gas pains
---feeling that bowels are not emptying completely
---constant fatigue
---unexplained weight loss
The progression of the disease is usually divided into four stages:
---Stage One: growth of polyps on the wall of the colon
---Stage Two: metastasis (spreading) of cancer to other tissue near the colon
---Stage Three: metastasis to lymph nodes around colon
---Stage Four: spreading to other parts of the body
While the exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, it is believed that heredity and environment are strong factors. This form of cancer occurs in both men and women and all individuals over fifty years old are at risk for the disease. Those people who have family members with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are in a higher risk group.
The early stage of colorectal cancer has a high cure rate. In advanced stages, the cure ratio drops dramatically.
Every person fifty or older should have a fecal occult blood test, which detects blood in stools, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years. In a sigmoidoscopy, a thin flexible tube with a light on the end is used to examine the inner lining of the rectum and the last two feet of the colon, where most cancers and polyps develop. The test is not painful and can be done in a doctor's office. The fecal occult blood test may be done by a patient at home, with instructions from a physician.
A colonoscopy or double-contrast barium x-ray should be done every five to ten years. A barium x-ray is done after the patient is given a barium enema and air is introduced into the colon. The x-ray can identify potential problems within the colon. This procedure is usually done in a doctor's office and does not require anesthesia.
Colonoscopy is most often used for high-risk diagnoses. This test is used to view the entire colon and allows the doctor to perform a biopsy or to remove polyps which may be present during the procedure. This is normally done in a hospital setting and the patient is given a sedative to relieve any discomfort.
A relatively recent method of detection is somewhat quicker with less discomfort than the colonoscopy or barium x-ray. CT colography requires that air be injected into the colon for two minutes. Images taken are ready for viewing within ten minutes. The entire examination lasts only two mintues. This method uses a helical CT scanner and special software. This has been a remarkable breakthrough in diagnostic testing for this type of ailment.
Most polyps can be removed during a coloscopy and need no surgery. In the early stages of the cancer, the portion of the colon containing the tumor is surgically removed. When the cancer is located at the end of the bowel in the rectum, a colostomy is usually performed. This is a procedure where an artificial opening is created to remove waste from the body. Later stages can require chemotherapy or radiation and surgery.
Studies have shown that people who are obese and/or live a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer. Weight loss and exercise have been proven to cut this risk b almost half.
A high fat diet increases the amount of bile acid that flows in -to the intestine. Bile acid is used by the body to digest fats. It has been found that excessive amounts of bile acid can increase the risk of colon cancer since bile acid may be transformed to cancer-causing agents in the body. It is recommended that no more than thirty percent of the daily caloric intake come from fat.
Consuming a diet that is high in fiber can be a strong weapon against colorectal cancer. Fiber is the part of food which does not break down during the digestive process. It simply passes through the digestive system. Fiber absorbs water as it moves through the digestive tract. This absorption increases regularity. The shorter the length of time that food remains in the body, the less chance there is that harmful substances will have time to do damage. These substances, with the aid of fiber, exit the body quickly. The best sources of fiber include beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
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