Colon Cancer Prevention: Lifestyle Changes and Screening Recommendations
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon, which is the large intestine.
- It occurs when cells in the colon start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumours.
- The tumours can become cancerous and spread to other parts, including the liver and lungs.
- Colon cancer often develops slowly over several years and may not cause symptoms until it has advanced.
- Certain polyps or growths in the inner lining of the colon can lead to the development of colon cancer.
- Screening tests are available from doctors to detect precancerous polyps before they become cancerous tumours.
- It may spread to other parts if colon cancer is not detected or treated.
- Risk factors for colon cancer include age, family history, certain genetic conditions, a diet high in red meat and processed foods, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Screening for colon cancer is recommended for people over 50 or with a family history or other risk factors.
- Treatment for colon cancer usually involves surgery to remove the affected part of the colon, as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What are colon cancer symptoms?
Colon cancer symptoms can include changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, for more than a few days.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool can also be a symptom of colon cancer.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, or bloating that doesn't go away may indicate colon cancer.
- Potential clues of colon cancer include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and weakness.
- However, some people with colon cancer may not experience any symptoms, particularly in the early stages.
- Other conditions can also cause these symptoms, so it is important to note that they are not exclusive to colon cancer.
An oncologist or gastro surgeon can determine the cause of these symptoms.
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- Abnormal cell growth in the inner lining of the colon causes colon cancer.
- Certain risk factors have been identified for colon cancer, although the exact cause of the disease is not yet known.
- Risk factors for colon cancer include age, family history of colon cancer, certain genetic conditions, a diet high in red meat and processed foods, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- While these risk factors may increase the likelihood of growing colon cancer, some people with no known risk factors can still develop the disease.
- The causes of colon cancer are unknown. We need additional research to understand colon cancer.
How do doctors diagnose colon cancer?
- Doctors use various methods to diagnose colon cancer, including screening tests, physical exams, and diagnostic procedures.
- A colonoscopy is a screening test used to detect colon cancer. During the screen test, the surgeon may insert a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end into the rectum to examine the inside of the colon.
- Other screening tests include stool tests, such as faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and stool DNA tests.
- If a healthcare provider suspects colon cancer, they may perform a physical exam to check for any lumps or abnormalities in the abdomen.
- Oncologists use Diagnostic procedures such as biopsies, CT scans, and MRI scans to confirm colon cancer and determine the extent of the disease.
- Once a diagnosis is confirmed, oncologists will work with patients to develop a treatment plan based on their needs and circumstances.
- A biopsy is a procedure in which a small portion of tissue is taken from the colon and examined under a microscope to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
These are some frequent diagnostic procedures and tests used to diagnose colon cancer.
How do doctors treat colon cancer?
Doctors treat colon cancer based on the stage of the disease and other factors such as the patient's age and overall health.
- Surgery is often the primary treatment for colon cancer. The affected part of the colon may be removed, along with nearby lymph nodes.
- Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery to shrink tumours or kill cancer cells that may have spread to other parts.
- Surgeons use radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy or surgery to treat colon cancer.
- Doctors may use targeted therapy for advanced colon cancer that has spread to other parts. This treatment targets specific proteins or genes in cancer cells to stop their growth.
- Immunotherapy may also be used to treat advanced colon cancer. This treatment helps the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Surgeons may provide palliative care to patients with advanced colon cancer to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Clinical trials may be an option for patients with advanced colon cancer who have not responded to standard treatments. Clinical trials test new drugs that may be more effective than current treatments.
What are colon cancer surgery procedures?
- Surgeons perform polypectomy during a colonoscopy to remove polyps from the colon. This procedure is suitable for small polyps that are not cancerous or are in the early stages of cancer.
- During a partial colectomy, surgeons remove the minor portion of the colon, the cancerous tumour and adjacent lymph nodes. They then reconnect the remaining parts of the colon.
- Surgeons may recommend surgical resection with colostomy if the cancer has advanced and partial colectomy cannot remove it.
- This process involves removing the affected portion of the colon and creating a colostomy, a surgical opening in the abdomen that collects waste.
- Surgeons may use radiofrequency ablation to destroy cancer cells in small tumours that are difficult to reach with traditional surgery. This technique employs high-energy radio waves.
It is important to note that doctors work closely with patients to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on their needs and circumstances. The healthcare team may recommend a combination of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, to treat colon cancer effectively.
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What are recent updates in the treatment of colon cancer?
Some recent updates in the treatment of colon cancer:
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab have shown promising results in advanced colon cancer. These drugs help the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: New targeted therapy drugs have been developed that target specific proteins or genes in cancer cells to stop their growth. Doctors may use these drugs in combination with chemotherapy to treat advanced colon cancer.
- Minimally invasive surgery: Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery techniques allow for less invasive removal of the affected part of the colon. These techniques may result in less pain and faster recovery times.
- Liquid biopsies: Liquid biopsies are blood tests that may detect cancer cells and DNA in the bloodstream. Liquid biopsies are a promising technique that may allow for earlier detection of colon cancer and treatment response. This technique involves blood tests that may detect cancer cells and DNA in the bloodstream. By detecting colon cancer earlier, doctors may be able to provide more effective treatment and improve patient outcomes.
- Precision medicine: In precision medicine, doctors use genetic testing to determine the specific genetic mutations in a patient's cancer. This process allows them to personalize treatment and choose the most effective drugs for each patient based on their genetic makeup.
It's important to note that these updates are constantly evolving as new research providers will work with patients to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on their individual needs and circumstances.