What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer found in the first 5 feet of the large intestine. Rectal cancer is the term used when the cancer appears in the last several inches of the large intestine, the area that leads to the anus. Colorectal cancer refers to a condition where the cancer is present in both the colon and rectum area. According to The American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer a common form of cancer with over 145,000 people diagnosed in the United States annually.

Colorectal cancer begins as noncancerous bumps referred to as adenomatous polyps. These polyps may turn cancerous when left to grow. It is possible to find and remove polyps before they turn cancerous by scheduling regular colon screenings with your physician.

Adenocarcinoma, cancer in the intestinal gland cells, represents 95 percent of colorectal cancer cases. This type of cancer starts in the lining cells of the colon and rectum and gradually spread deep to other layers of the intestine. Aggressive subtypes of adenocarcinoma are Mucinous adenocarcinoma and Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. Mucinous adenocarcinoma contains mucus that makes it easy for the cancer cells to spread quickly through the colon. This type affects 10 to 15 percent of all adenocarcinoma patients. Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is an uncommon form that accounts for 1 percents of all adenocarcinoma cases.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include a sudden change in bowel habits that are consistent for more than two weeks. Other signs of a problem are blood in the stool, continual bowel discomfort, weakness and sudden weight loss. The early stages of colon or rectal cancer do not always present symptoms of a problem. Make an appointment to see your physician if you have any of the listed symptoms. It is better to undergo a screening for the disease rather than ignore the problem.

Be proactive with colorectal cancer by talking to your doctor about starting regular colon and rectal cancer screenings by the time you reach 50 years of age. You may want to start regular screenings earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

How is colon cancer diagnosed? If you have symptoms that indicate you may have colon cancer, your doctor may order one or more tests to confirm or rule out a colon cancer diagnosis. You may undergo a series of blood tests, which can indicate other possible causes of your symptoms. Colon cancer cannot, however, be detected through a blood test. After taking a complete blood count and organ-function tests, your doctor may move on to one or more of the following tests.

Tests For Diagnosing Colon Cancer

• Colonoscopy: this test uses a long, flexible tube with an attached video camera to examine the inside of your rectum and colon. Tissue samples, or biopsies, can also be taken during a colonoscopy. Your doctor can also remove colon polyps during this test.
• Barium enema and X-ray: a contrast dye, known as barium, is inserted into your colon. This allows a silhouette image of your rectum and colon to be captured by an X-ray machine. If your doctor orders a double-contrast barium enema, air will be added in addition to the dye.
• Virtual colonoscopy: this test may be ordered if you can’t undergo a regular colonoscopy. Multiple computerized tomography, or CT, images are used to build a picture of the inside of your colon.

If colon cancer is discovered, your doctor will likely run additional tests to determine the stage of cancer. These tests, which may include scans of other areas of the body, will influence the treatment plan your doctor suggests.

Colon Cancer Prevention Tips

Can colon cancer be prevented? Although it’s difficult to prove that colon cancer can be completely prevented, there are steps that you can take to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. These preventive measures are especially important if you have a family history of colon cancer.

How To Prevent Colon Cancer

• Eat a fiber-rich, balanced diet: fruits, vegetables and whole grains are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that have been linked to a reduced risk of colon and other cancers.
• Avoid alcohol: limiting yourself to one alcoholic beverage a day for women and two drinks a day for men can help prevent colon cancer, as well as weight gain, depression and other chronic illnesses.
• Quit smoking: cigarette smoke has been linked to an increased risk for a variety of cancers, including colon cancer.
• Get plenty of exercise: aim to exercise for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week.
• Manage your weight: if you’re overweight, use a healthy diet and regular exercise to reach a normal weight. Continue with this regimen to maintain a healthy weight.
• Daily aspirin: while you should discuss aspiring therapy with your doctor, some research suggests that aspirin therapy may reduce the risk of colon cancer in high-risk patients.

If you are concerned about your risk for colon cancer, talk to your doctor about preventative measures. In extreme but rare cases, doctors may recommend preventative surgery or prescription medications to help prevent colon cancer.