Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, early diagnosis often leads to a complete cure.

There is no single cause of colon cancer. Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.

Prevention:

Colonoscopy can see the entire colon, and this is the best screening test for colon cancer.

The death rate for colon cancer has dropped in the last 15 years. This may be due to increased awareness and screening by colonoscopy.

Colon cancer can almost always be caught by colonoscopy in its earliest and most curable stages. Almost all men and women age 50 and older should have a colon cancer screening. Patients at risk may need earlier screening.  

Colon cancer screening can often find polyps before they become cancerous. Removing these polyps may prevent colon cancer.

You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you:

- Are older than 60

- Are African American of eastern European descent

- Eat a diet high in red or processed meats

- Have cancer elsewhere in the body

- Have colorectal polyps 

- Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)

- Have a family history of colon cancer

- Have a personal history of breast cancer

- Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are other risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Symptoms:

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
• Blood in the stool
• Diarrhea, constipation, or other change in bowel habits
• Narrow stools
• Weight loss with no known reason

(F: NLM)