| The word cancer always brings worries to anyone | | | | leading cause of death among cancers in the |
| who hears it. In most cases, people never realize | | | | Western world. |
| they have cancer, not until the feel some kind of pain | | | | Like we mentioned earlier, diet also plays a huge role. |
| and have it checked out, only to find out that they | | | | Studies show that if a person's usually consists of red |
| already have it. Especially nowadays, with the kind | | | | meat, and is low on fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry |
| lifestyle that is being imposed upon us, news and | | | | and fish invites the risk for colon cancer. A study |
| studies tell us that we can get it from the foods we | | | | done by the European Prospective Investigation into |
| eat, the air we breathe and virtually almost | | | | Cancer and Nutrition in June 2005 suggested that a |
| anywhere. | | | | diet high on red and processed meat and low on |
| We cannot know when or why colon cancer might | | | | fiber, are associated with an increased risk of colon |
| strike us, but we can certainly take specific measures | | | | cancer. People who preferred fish showed a |
| to significantly lessen the chances of getting colon | | | | decreased risk. However, the relation between |
| cancer. But first, we have to arm ourselves with | | | | dietary fiber and risk of colon cancer remains |
| information. What is colon cancer? How would you | | | | controversial as other studies have cast doubt on |
| know if you have it? | | | | claims that high fiber intake can decrease the risk of |
| Have you had, or do you know of any one who | | | | colon cancer. |
| might be experiencing change in their bowel | | | | The risk of developing colon cancer also increases |
| movement, blood in their stool (scientifically referred | | | | with age. People in their 60s and 70s are more |
| to as melena, hematochezia) or bowel obstruction? | | | | suceptible, while cases before age 50 are uncommon |
| These are some of the more obvious symptoms of | | | | unless there is a history of colon cancer in the family. |
| colon cancer, but it is possible for the symptoms to | | | | In women, usually those who've had cancer of the |
| be less specific. Things like abnormal weight loss, | | | | ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of |
| anemia, that occurs with symptoms like fatigue, pallor | | | | developing colon cancer. |
| and lasting discomfort are also possible signs. If upon | | | | Smokers and physically inactive people are also more |
| check-up, there is liver's enlargement (or | | | | likely to develop of colon cancer. |
| hepatomegaly), this could be due to the tumor | | | | How do you know if you have it? There are may |
| spreading. | | | | ways of diagnosing for colon cancer, like a digital |
| Like a lot of cancer cases, there are also ocassions | | | | rectal exam or a PET (Positron Emission |
| where no symptoms are present at all. Moreover, it | | | | Tomography) scan. One sure way is through a |
| is highly recommended to get check-ups for the | | | | colonoscopy. In a colonoscopy, a lighted probe called |
| disease from time to time. | | | | a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the |
| Colon cancer, more scientifically, colorectal cancer or | | | | entire colon to inspect for polyps and other |
| bowel cancer, is characterized by harmful growths in | | | | abnormalities that may be caused by cancer. |
| the colon or large bowel, rectum and appendix. Many | | | | If polyps are found during the colonoscopy, they can |
| think that cancers come from the formation of | | | | be immediately removed. Tissue samples can also be |
| polyps in the colon. These polyps are commonly | | | | taken for biopsy. Therapy is usually done through |
| non-threatening, but some might progress into colon | | | | surgery, with many cases also requires |
| cancer over time. Colon cancer is now the third | | | | chemotherapy. |
| among most usual form of cancer and the second | | | | |