Everything You Need to Know About Colon Cancer
It is estimated that colon cancer will affect almost 148,000 adults in the United States in 2020 alone. Of this number, approximately 53,200 people will die from the disease. The average lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is around one in twenty-three, which works out to only a 4.5 percent chance. However, it’s the third deadliest form of cancer for both men and women.
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is often referred to as a ‘colorectal’ cancer, as it is grouped with cancers of the rectum. The colon is the last part of the digestive tract, also known as the large intestine. Typical cases begin with small benign (noncancerous) growths in the large intestine called polyps. Over time, polyp cells can mutate and develop into malignant cancerous growths. Regular colon cancer screening is recommended in older adults and those with other risk factors so that polyps can be detected and removed before they mutate.
Types of Colon Cancer
The most common type of colon cancer is adenocarcinoma, which begins in the epithelial cells that form the lining of the gut. Among the less prevalent types of colon cancer are:
- Carcinoid tumors – Cancer of the intestine’s hormone-producing cells
- Lymphoma – Cancer of the lymph nodes, which can start in the colon
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors – Cancer of ‘soft tissues’ such as fat, muscles, or blood vessels
All colon cancers can be categorized as either localized (contained to the colon), regional (have spread to nearby tissues), or distant (have spread to distant body parts like the lungs or liver).
Known Causes and Risk Factors
A person’s risk of developing colon cancer is largely determined by their lifestyle. The following behaviors greatly increase the risk of getting colon cancer:
- Eating a diet high in red or processed meat
- Frequently consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- Smoking
- Insufficient exercise
- Obesity (especially when extra fat is in the abdominal area)
There are also risk factors that are not related to lifestyle. As mentioned earlier, a person’s risk of developing colon cancer increases with age. Additionally, people with a history of inflammatory bowel disease or whose parents have had colon cancer are at greater risk.
Early Signs and Symptoms
The early symptoms of colon cancer are usually mild and often go unnoticed, which only increases the importance of routine screening. The following signs could be indicators:
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- A significant change in bowel behavior
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- The urge to have a bowel movement that is not eased by having one
Treatment Options
Colon cancer patients have several treatment options available to them including:
- Surgery – To remove the cancerous tissue or a section of the colon known as a colostomy)
- Radiation therapy – Beams of high-strength radiation to target cancerous cells
- Chemotherapy – Medicine taken orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells
- Immunotherapy – A medicinal treatment designed to support the body’s immune system in fighting the cancer
What treatment or combination of treatments a doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of the colon cancer, the patient’s overall health, and potential side-effects. Talk to your doctor immediately if you are experiencing serious and persistent symptoms that you believe may be caused by colon cancer.