Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the world's most common cancer. It's a small benign cluster of cells called a polyp that develops on the mucosa lining of the colon. These polyps, over time, have the potential to be cancerous and affect the more proximal part of the colon wall and even up to the body organs if left untreated.


Fortunately, with better awareness of the original presentation of colon cancer, the right screening tests such as a colonoscopy for colon cancer and the right treatment, the patient can recover with better colon cancer survival rate. Awareness of the disease prevents the disease, early signs of colon cancer, and good therapy.

 

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a bowel condition, from and through which salts and water are eliminated from food taken and faeces are produced. The colon is the final portion of the alimentary tract prior to the rectum and anus. Cancer tumors spread outwards and grow at a highly fast rate of speed, and moreover, it is also possible that tumors may be developed which would be an obstruction to the bowel movement.


Colorectal cancer family also encompasses colon cancer and rectal cancer. Colon cancer can usually not be diagnosed in its initial stage, and hence the proper screening of colon cancer should be performed to diagnose it even before its further development.

 

Most frequent signs of colon cancer

Colon cancer symptoms occurs in the initial stage. But if cancer has already formed and invaded other parts, then the patients would have the following signs of colon cancer:


  • Change in bowel habit for a few days, diarrhea, constipation, or more watery movements
  • Bleeding from the bowel or the rectum
  • Cramp, pain, or discomfort in the abdomen that develops on a regular basis
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Weakness, tiredness, or anaemia
  • Symptoms of not being hollow during passing stools

Early detection of such warning signs of colon cancer is very crucial because it forces the individuals to go through the diagnostic tests in time so that they can have chances of detection at an early stage.

 

Afternoon-C Stage

The colon cancer stages are terms that describe the size of the cancer and how far along it has progressed. Understanding these stages will help, as it will determine the colon cancer treatment options as well as the outlook:


  • Stage 0 – Cancer cells within lining of colon (in situ) but not into other tissue.
  • Stage I – Growth of tumor has extended to deeper layers of colon wall but not to lymph nodes.
  • Stage II – Spread of cancer by colon wall to adjacent tissue but not to lymph nodes.
  • Stage III – Spread of cancer to one or more adjacent lymph nodes.
  • Stage IV – Metastatic colon cancer; spread to distant sites such as liver, lungs, or peritoneum.

Survival is not good as the disease advances and treatment is more aggressive. Colonoscopy performed early in colon cancer can identify cancers at an early stage which is extremely curable.

 

Causes of Colon Cancer

Although the causes of colon cancer is still not known, there are some risk factors for colon cancer that can double the risk of the disease. They are:


  • Age (more than 50 years)
  • History of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
  • Family history of colon cancer
  • Genetic syndromes (like Lynch Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)
  • Poor diet, low in fruits and vegetables, high in processed or red meat
  • Not active and being overweight
  • Smoking tobacco and heavy alcohol use

Type 2 diabetes

Colon cancer in young adults is increasing, and thus the young patients under the age of 50 years should have their health examined and come back to their physician with recurrent GI symptoms.

 

View More: Breast Cancer - Symptoms Causes and Treatment


Diagnosis of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer diagnosis is normally followed by a series of tests. The most common types of tests are:


  • Colonoscopy – A camera-equipped tube is inserted into the colon to search for abnormal polyps or tumors.
  • Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) – Blood tests for hidden blood in a stool sample.
  • CT Colonography – X-ray pictures to capture 3D images and videos of the colon.
  • Biopsy – Tissue removal with colonoscopy and tested at the lab.

Colon cancer screening guidance suggests that most individuals start routine colonoscopies at 45 years old. Individuals who have risk factors or a history of colon cancer might have to start sooner, though.

 

Treatments for Colon Cancer

Colon cancer treatment also varies depending on the cancer stage, overall health of the patient, and the patient's own preference. Some of the treatments for colon cancer are mentioned below:


  • Surgery – It is best indicated for the resection of the affected segment of colon and the regional lymph nodes in case of cancer in its initial phase.
  • Chemotherapy – The cytotoxic drugs are usually given post-operatively to prevent recurrence of the cancer.
  • Radiation Therapy – It employs beams of energy to kill cancer cells. It is occasionally accompanied by chemotherapy, usually for rectum cancer or for cancer that is extensive and has spread to some other location.
  • Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy – They employ specific drugs targeting a specific pathway in cancer cells or stimulating the immune system to combat cancer.

Colon cancer survival is very good, nearly 90% for Stage I, if diagnosed early, but falls sharply with the stage.

 

Prevention and Lifestyle Recommendations

While there is no promise for colon cancer prevention, there are some lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing the disease as well as to the overall health of the colon:


  • Colon-friendly diet: Take up fruits, vegetables, whole grain, lean protein, and fiber-rich food to accelerate the bowel movement and reduce your consumption of carcinogens from processed foods.
  • Regular exercise: Engage in regular light to moderate physical activity that can reduce your risk of colon cancer.
  • Healthy weight: Obesity is associated with higher risks of colon cancer.
  • Give up smoking and reduce alcohol consumption: Both are significant risk factors.
  • Regular screening: If you're aged 45 or over or at increased risk, regular colonoscopies can detect cancer before symptoms or can prevent cancer by the eradication of precancerous polyps.

Conclusion

Colorectal cancer is a preventable and treatable but lethal disease. Colon cancer awareness signs, more colonoscopy for colon cancer, and healthy colon cancer diet can decrease your risk and make you healthier in the long run.

If you have risk factors for colon cancer, family or personal history of colon cancer, discuss the appropriate interval of colon cancer screening with your doctor. Detection early on is important, so that you can be treated effectively for colon cancer before cancer has an opportunity to develop, increasing your prognosis and survival rate for colon cancer.


Please book an appointment with the best Nutritionist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.