Video About Colon Cancer

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What is Colon Cancer

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Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the large intestine (colon). Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide. According to the statistic, the annual incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States is approximately 148,300 which included 72,600 affected make and 75,700 affected females, with 56,600 deaths which included 27,800 males and 28,800 females. (Henry T. Lynch et al., 2003).

Colorectal cancer is carcinomas which is the cancer of epithelial cells. Normally the cancerous cell can be found on the surface of the body, produce hormones and make up glands (Mark H. Beer et al., 2003). In the early development of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyps which are noncancerous clumps of cells will be formed. The clumps of cells have lost its normal control mechanism and unregulated growth. After some time, polyps become colon cancers.

Cancerous cell develop from healthy normal cells through a process called transformation. In the first step of development called initiation, the cell’s genetic material is changed and cause mutation. The mutant genes will produce unwanted protein, and then make the cells become cancerous cells.

In second stage of development of cancer cells, it is called promotion. The agents that cause promotion are called promoters. Promoters can be some drugs, external environment substances or even some behaviors’ of the patients. For example, smokers will have higher chances to get colorectal cancer. Promotion has no effect on non-initiated cells. Colorectal cancer can grow directly into surrounding tissues on colon and large intestine. It might spread to other tissues or organs. (Mark H. Beer et al., 2003).

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is silent killer, because the symptoms of the colorectal cancer are not been showed in early state of the development of colorectal cancer. It is painless at first. It might show symptoms when the cancer grows in an area with a lot of space.

General Symtoms can be found from colon cancer patient are:
- Change in bowel habits
- change in frequency (constipation and/or diarrhea)
- change in the quality of stools
- change in consistency of stools
- Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
- Stools with mucus
- Tarry stools (melena) (more likely related to upper gastrointestinal eg stomach or duodenal disease)
- Feeling of incomplete defecation (Tenesmus) (usually associated with rectal cancer)
- Reduction in diameter of feces - Bowel obstruction (rare)

Blood in the stool is a common symptom of colon cancer. As the cancerous cells enlarge in the colon and invades surrounding tissues, it might grow nearby the blood vessel, therefore, it causes bleeding in rectum. The site of the cancer determines the site of the bleeding (Mark H. Beer et al., 2003). It might happen in early stage of colorectal cancer.

The patients who have colorectal cancer, their bowel habits will change, including diarrhea or constipation.

The patients will experience abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas, or pain. The pain might be caused by the cancerous cells compresses into nerves.

The patients with colorectal cancer will experience weight loss and fatigue. Some people weight loss despite a good appetite; some other lose their appetite and may even become nauseated by food, so they will become very thin. Due to body does not get enough nutrition as demanded by their own body, they may find that they feel tired or become short of breath when exerting themselves.

What is the Factors Cause Colon Cancer?

Age: Colorectal cancer are more common in older people who more than 50 years old (Elliot J. Coups et al., 2007). Increased the risk of colorectal cancer is due to combination of increased and prolonged exposure to carcinogens and decreased in immune system.

Genetic Inheritance: Some families have significantly higher risk to develop colorectal cancer. They might have gene mutation and inherit to next generation.

Smoking: Smoking is one of the factors that cause colorectal cancer. For the research of Edoardo Botteri el at., the report showed that smokers have higher chances than non-smokers to get colorectal cancer. Smoking was associated with an absolute risk increase of 6.0 deaths per 100 000 person – years. (Edoardo Botteri el at., 2008)

Geographic Variation: The risk of colorectal cancer varies according to where people live. This geographic variation in colorectal cancer risk might be caused by a combination of genetics, diet, and environment. For example, Japan people have low risk to get colorectal cancer. But Japan people who immigrate to United States, the risk to get colorectal cancer increases, and might equal to the rest of the American population. It is because when these people immigrate to United States, the foods that they consume and environment that they live are changed which same as American population. (Mark H. Beer et al., 2003)

Bacteria and Viruses Infection: Several types of viruses and bacteria will cause cancer in humans. That is not surprising that there are many studies have evaluated the association between colorectal cancer and infectious agents which produced by viruses and bacteria. Besides that, inflammation that caused by infection also increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Ulcerative colitis is inflammatory bowel disease which can result in colorectal cancer. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. The common symptom is constant diarhea mixed with blood.

Food Intake Control: Low physical activities, low fruit and vegetable intake, high caloric intake from fat, obesity, high alcohol intake, and low intake of multivitamins also are factors that cause colorectal cancer.

How to Prevent Colon Cancer?

See doctor if you have any colon cancer symptoms.
Colon cancer are not been showed in early state of the development of colorectal cancer. If you experience abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas, or pain, or you bleed stools, weight loss and so on, you must need to see doctor to do body checking.

If you're 50 or older, schedule a colon cancer screening.
Colorectal cancer are more common in older people who more than 50 years old. Therefore, getting screened is an excellent colon cancer prevention method.

Eat a balanced diet.
Diets high in fat and cholesterol (especially from animal sources) have been linked to increased colon cancer risk. High-fiber diets, however, have shown a protective effect.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Obese men have more at risk for colon cancer than obese women. Besides that, certain body types have more risk for colon cancer than others too. For example: researches showed that extra fat in the waist (an apple shape) increases colon cancer risk more than extra fat in the thighs or hips (a pear shape).

Maintain an active lifestyle.
Research showed that do exercise daily can reduce colon cancer risk by as much as 40 percent. Besides that, exercise also tends to reduce the incidence of other risk factors for colon cancer, like obesity and diabetes.

Consider genetic counseling.
People who carry genetic mutations linked to hereditary colon cancer are the most likely to develop the disease. If your parents have colon cancer, you might need see genetic counselors, they might help and advise you how to prevent colon cancer.

Learn your family medical history.
If your parents have colon cancer, you might inherit this kind of mutant genes. When discussing colon cancer prevention with your doctor, remember to mention if family members have had polyps or colon cancer.

Don't smoke.
smokers have higher chances than non-smokers to get colorectal cancer. There 2 reason why smoking will cause colon cancer: First, inhaled or swallowed tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon. Second, tobacco use appears to increase polyp size.

Colon Cleansing

To execute colon cleansing before they create a problem is the best way to prevent Colon Cancer. Some of the colon cleansing products can help you to remove the toxic from your body. Eating large amounts of fiber such as fruits and vegetables, is one gentle and natural way to cleanse the colon. Drinking plenty of water and other non-caffeinated beverages also is important to help flush the fiber through your system.

To Read More About Colon Cleansing:
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It will help you to:

1. Evaluate the different cleansing procedures out there and decide which (if any) is right for you.
2. Discourage the buildup of harmful toxins inside your colon that can lead to illness and dangerous (sometimes life threatening) disease.
3. Choose foods that are good for your colon and your overall health, and avoid (or limit) the ones that aren't so good.
4. Understand how herbal supplements and probiotics can be used to keep your colon clean and functioning in top form.