“Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the normal tissue of the colon.”
Key Points
- Health history affects the risk of developing colon cancer
- Blood in stool or change in bowel habits are signs of colon cancer
- Tests that examine the colon and rectum are used to detect and diagnose colon cancer.
- certain factors affects prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.
Risk factors
- Age
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Inherited risk
- Personal history
- Alcohol
- Cigarette smoking
- Race
- Obesity
Protective factors
- Physical activity
- Diet
- Polyp removal
- HRT
- Asprine
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.
Tests are used to screen for different types of cancer when a person does not have symptoms.
Studies show that some screening tests for colorectal cancer help find cancer at an early stage and may decrease the number of deaths from the disease.
Five types of tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer:
- Fecal occult blood test
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Virtual colonoscopy
- DNA stool test
Studies have shown that screening for colorectal cancer using digital rectal exam does not decrease the number of deaths from the disease.
Signs of colon cancer include blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits.
These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by colon cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
- Stools that are narrower than usual.
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Feeling very tired.
- Vomiting.
