Colon cancer and rectal cancer are usually combined in the medical field under the terminology "colorectal" cancers. These two conditions cause abnormal, cancerous cells to develop either in the large intestine, also known as the colon, or in the very bottom of the colon, also known as the rectum. Polyps are an early sign of colorectal cancer and are discovered during colonoscopy exams.
What is colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a routine screening exam recommended for everyone. While it may sound scary, it is a simple procedure done under sedation so you will not remember it afterwards. During these routine exams, a doctor will insert a narrow flexible tube with a very small camera into the colon. The goal is to look for polyps – abnormal, non-cancerous cells that if left untreated in the colon become cancerous over time – and remove them if they are found. Since polyps have no symptoms, so people do not know they have them without an exam. For this reason, your doctor will recommend colonoscopy testing starting at 50 years old and continuing regularly every five to 10 years. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, your doctor will recommend starting your screenings at an earlier age.
What can I do to reduce my risk?
Almost all colon cancer occurs after the age of 50. Aside from regular colonoscopy testing, there are both controllable and uncontrollable factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. African Americans and those with a family history are more likely to have colon cancer. Diet, exercise and lifestyle choices are controllable factors that can impact the risk of developing cancer. The recommended healthy lifestyle is to eat proper amounts of fiber, avoid high fat intake, get regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Proper vitamin and mineral intake is also part of a healthy lifestyle.
Vitamin D in particular is noted to potentially decrease risk. Other conditions including inflammatory intestinal and bowel disorders cause an increased risk too, especially if they are not regulated well.
How much of a difference do these things make? Regular colonoscopy testing and prompt polyp removal decrease the risk of death from colorectal cancer by at least 80 percent. It is thought that living a healthy lifestyle may decrease the risk of developing cancer by 60 to 80 percent.
What are the treatment options?
Once colorectal cancer is diagnosed, the patient typically undergoes a surgical procedure to remove the cancerous cells and then chemotherapy treatment to eliminate the growth of cancer cells. Part of research efforts to come up with improved methods of fighting cancer includes TroVax, a vaccine developed in 2006. This vaccine uses the individual’s own immune system to help fight off cancer. The initial testing was positive, so trials and further testing to refine the vaccine are currently in progress.
For more information about colorectal cancer and how to stay healthy, visit http://www.onehealth.com
Tena Moore - Tena Moore is a socially conscious writer specializing in health and wellness, nutrition, self improvement, mind and body healing, and ...
