There are many treatments for colon cancer. In some cases, surgery is recommended to remove the affected colon and nearby lymph nodes. Surgery may also involve making an incision in the abdominal wall and reattaching the colon to the rectum. In other cases, a colostomy will be performed to create a small opening through which bowel movements can be passed. This procedure may be temporary or permanent. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Although this treatment is effective, it is not without its risks.
Regular screenings for colon cancer can help prevent it and detect it early. Colon cancer screenings are usually recommended for people over 50. A colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a long video camera to capture images of the colon and rectum. A biopsy will be performed if abnormalities are discovered. Some risk factors are genetic and environmental. Ethnicity may increase your risk of colon cancer. Diet and physical inactivity are also factors.
An early warning sign of colon cancer is unexplained changes in bowel habits or bowel movements. Because the colon is the final part of the digestive tract, it plays a critical role in processing waste and reabsorbing fluid. The presence of cancer in the colon can block the bowel, making it difficult to eliminate waste. These changes can cause bowel movements to change. Further tests can be required to confirm the presence of colon cancer.
Although colon cancer is not genetically transmitted, it does have a genetic component. People with a family history of colon cancer are at higher risk of developing it. Certain factors, such as a high fat diet and heavy alcohol consumption, can increase the risk. Genetics are also a risk factor for colon cancer. Although the majority of cancers are preventable, the earlier you are diagnosed, the better the outcome for your colon. Once you have been diagnosed, you should have regular colon examinations to detect the symptoms early.
A colonoscopy is the preferred method for detecting colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube is inserted into the colon to check for polyps. These polyps can grow to cancer if not removed. In some cases, polyps may not be found until after 10 years, but if you don’t, it can take up to 10 years to grow to be a symptom of colon cancer.
Symptoms of colon cancer can be sporadic or hereditary. One genetic mutation in either parent increases the risk of colon cancer. About five percent of colon cancer cases are hereditary, which means they are passed down from one parent to another. Inheritance means that you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutated gene from an affected parent. You should consider having your genetics checked to rule out this possibility.
Colorectal cancer can spread in two ways: either locally or through adjacent structures. Local extension causes additional symptoms such as a blockage or perforation of the colon. If left untreated, cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs. If you suspect you have colon cancer, you should seek immediate treatment. Your doctor will likely recommend chemotherapy. You may be able to save your life. Just remember to keep an eye on the symptoms of colon cancer to ensure that you are as healthy as possible.
