| As years are passing by the number of patients with | | | | appetite. |
| bowel cancer is increasing rapidly and it does not | | | | Those who have adopted western diets, are obese, |
| matter whether the patent is young or old or | | | | are smoking and also follow a diet that is rich in |
| whether is women of men. | | | | proteins and fats and low in fiber are at risk to |
| Generally cancer can not be cured but if one patient | | | | develop colorectal cancer. There are several factors |
| is diagnosed in an early stage of bowel cancer than | | | | that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer: |
| there is hope of good recuperation after therapy. | | | | those who have a family history of colon cancer or |
| The colon and rectum are a part of the large | | | | other type of cancer is at risk; those who drink |
| intestine and their function is to absorb nutrients and | | | | alcohol and follow an improper diet can develop this |
| water from the food that passes through the | | | | disease. Also, people who suffer of Crohn's disease, |
| intestine before it goes out of the body. Bowel | | | | ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and familial adenomatous |
| cancer is the disease that affects the cells from the | | | | polyposis are exposed at a greater risk than others. |
| colon and rectum creating a malign or benign tumor. | | | | There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer |
| Bowel cancer generally means colon cancer, rectum | | | | syndrome which also occurs in the same family |
| cancer and anus cancer. | | | | members but now people who are at risk can be |
| Cancer determines cells to divide in an uncontrollable | | | | identified through genetic screening. |
| way. Generally the cells of the body divide only when | | | | In order to diagnose this disease the doctor will ask |
| needed, like when they grow old and other cells need | | | | you about your symptoms and might palpate your |
| to be produced in order to replace them or when | | | | abdomen and check out the rectum with his finger of |
| they are in a small amount and the body needs more | | | | course using a lubricated glove. Your doctor might |
| of them. Because the cells are produced in an | | | | send you to a specialist who will do some more tests |
| increased number, a mass of unknown tissue will | | | | in order to exclude the possibility of colorectal cancer. |
| form, known as a tumor (this tumor can be benign or | | | | A useful test is the sigmoidoscopy and the |
| malign). If the tumor is malignant it can spread to | | | | colonoscopy which visualizes the inside of the colon |
| other organs giving metastasis. | | | | and can tell the doctor whether there is a tumor or |
| If a person has polyps on the internal surface of the | | | | not. During this procedure if polyps are found they |
| colon it is exposed to the risk of developing | | | | can be removed and if tumor is seen it can be taken |
| colorectal cancer it these polyps transform into | | | | out and sent to the laboratory for tests. |
| cancerous polyps. | | | | The barium enema can also be used, along with |
| Patients come at the hospital because they feel tired, | | | | ultrasounds, CT and MRI scanning. |
| they are constipated, or have diarrhea for more than | | | | Colorectal cancer must be diagnosed in its early |
| a week. Sometimes people observe that their stool is | | | | stages in order for the treatment to function at its |
| much thinner than before and that it comes with | | | | maximum power. This is why periodically screenings |
| blood. They might be feeling abdominal pain, cramps, | | | | and tests need to be done in those people who are |
| and bloating. Most of the patients loose a lot of | | | | at risk of developing this disease. |
| weight in a short period of time and have a lack of | | | | |