Browsing: Colorectal Cancer
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Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer, bowel cancer or colon neoplasms is a cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, but can spread to other parts of the body. According to reports from WHO and CDC, it is the second most common of all cancers, after lung cancer, worldwide. About 1 in 20 of all Americans will develop colorectal
cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Men are at a higher risk than women. Colorectal cancer generally begins as a growth called polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps become cancer over the course of a few years, but not all polyps change to cancer.
The two types of polyps are:
-Adenomatous polyps (adenomas): These polyps can change into cancer
-Hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps: These polyps generally are not pre-cancerous
In most cases, it is not clear what causes colorectal cancer. Experts say that cancer occurs when there is a problem in the DNA and the cells grow abnormally. Genetic mutations can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown a relationship between a diet full of fat and low in fiber and an increased risk of colon cancer. Other risk factors are older age, African-American race, family history, inherited syndromes that increase the risk of CRC, obesity, alcohol, and smoking.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:
-changed bowel movements and abdominal discomfort
-feeling that your bowel is not empty completely
-narrower stools
-bloating and gas pains often
-unexplained loss of weight
-nausea or vomiting
-weakness
-blood in your stool
If you note blood in your stool or continued changed bowel habits, contact a specialist. Colorectal cancers can be prevented if detected early. Your doctor may recommend screening to detect any suspected cancer. Screening has been shown to reduce the risk of death from colorectal cancer. People with an average risk of cancer can consider screening at age 50. But people with a higher risk should consider screening earlier. If your doctor suspects colorectal cancer, he may recommend a few diagnosis tests such as blood tests, colonoscopy, and stool test. Various treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, drug therapy, and alternative medicine are provided to a patient.
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Blood-filled vomiting can indicate a serious issue such as liver cirrhosis or other alcoholic liver diseases. “Throwing Up Blood: Living with Hematemesis” is a guide that covers symptoms, causes, tests, treatments, and coping mechanisms for patients with hematemesis.
Cancer pain is usually dull and annoying and one may confuse it with other colon or stomach disease. The pain generally occurs because of the tumor. The tumor presses the nerves, bones etc and cause mild to severe pain. Sometimes, these tumors may grow unnoticed until serious damage of the colon wall has happened.
Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for cancer. The term ‘chemotherapy’ refers to the drugs that prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing. It works by killing the cells that divide in an uncontrolled way.
In 1989, the isolation and cloning of vascular endothelial growth factor-A was a milestone in understanding the formation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vessels. The concept of angiogenesis then became clear. This laid foundations of improved treatments for colorectal cancers.
Colorectal cancer is often noted after symptoms appear. Most people with early colorectal cancer don’t have symptoms of the disease. Even if signs appear, people are likely to be misled as the symptoms are usually similar to commonly occurring diseases such as bowel problems, abdomen pain etc.
It is generally not clear what causes colorectal cancer. We only know that colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colon cancer or rectal cancer) occurs when the DNA of the healthy cells have problems.
Colorectal cancer does not cause symptoms right away. It progresses over a period of time and the signs and symptoms are visible quite late. Many of the symptoms of colon cancer can also be similar to those of other diseases and may be caused by something else …
If you have colorectal cancer in, there’s good chance that you are cured or can live longer with this disease than before. This is mainly because there are better and advanced treatments options for it these days. You should discuss with your doctor the possible options and about which of them suits you the most. Treatment of colorectal cancer depends on several factors.
There is no way that you confirm prevention of the colorectal cancer. But, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the colorectal. For example, you can try to control the risk factors for colorectal cancer. Read here about the risk factors for colorectal cancer.