Facts about Colorectal Cancer
The symptoms of this type of cancer can mimic other conditions and diseases such as infections, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. Catching this disease early means a good chance for a cure.
Colorectal cancer is a digestive disorder that is found in the cells of the colon and rectum (large intestine). Cancerous tumors that are found in the colon and rectum may spread to other parts of the body, which is why it is important to catch colorectal cancer early. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The new cases of colorectal cancer are decreasing though because of sigmoidoscopic screening and also from polyp removal.
Symptoms to look for are:
Bowel habit changes from what you normally experience
Bleeding from the rectum or seeing blood in your stools.
Cramping or a gnawing stomach pain
Vomiting
Weakness or fatigue
Jaundice (yellowish coloring to your skin or sclera of the eye)
The symptoms of this type of cancer can mimic other conditions and diseases such as infections, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. Catching this disease early means a good chance for a cure. An individual may not experience any symptoms and still have colorectal cancer.
Risk Factors:
The majority of individuals who have colorectal cancer are over age 50; but it can happen at any age.
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A few of the common digestive system disorders include: Celiac disease, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Gastritis and peptic ulcers, and Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Intestinal Disorders
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Those who eat diets high in fat and calories and low in fiber are more likely to contract this cancer.
Individuals who have polyps (benign growths) such as those in individuals over 50; are common leading symptoms for colorectoal cancer.
Those individual who have a family history of colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine or breast cancers, all have a slightly increased risk over the general population. Also, those individual who have ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk for this disease.
Individual at increased risk for colorectal cancer should receive genetic testing, or early tests from the doctor's office so that they can catch it early if possible.
Many colon cancers can be avoided by proper diet and exercise including:
Diet and Exercise by eating more fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and by avoiding high-fat, low-fiber foods, plus by getting enough exercise.
Drug therapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ASA, estrogen replacement therapy for women who are post-menopausal can also reduce the risk for colorectal cancer.
Screenings can also help to prevent colorectal cancer at appropriate ages. Catching this cancer early is the single most important thing individuals can do if they are in the high-risk group.
Individuals who do not have risk factors or symptoms of colorectal disease should still receive screenings such as digital rectal examination, signoidoscopy, colonoscopy and also the barium enema with air contrast.
If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer treatment will depend on your age, your overall health at the time, the extent of the disease, your tolerance for medications, what the doctor suspects will be the expectation for the course of the disease, and of course your own input and preferences. Treatment also depends on the stage of the cancer tumor, if it has spread and how far it has spread by the time it is caught.
Your doctor may suggest the following treatments:
Colon surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy News on Digestive Disorders
09/03/2010
Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
Older adults who have a colonoscopy performed by a family doctor, internist or general surgeon are somewhat more likely to need another one within a year compared with those who have the procedure done by a gastroenterologist, a new report finds.
Colonoscopy repeats greater with non-specialists
09/03/2010
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
The family of bone-building drugs that includes Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva can double the risk of developing throat cancer, researchers reported Thursday in the latest development in what has become a confusing discussion. Other studies have reported no increase, but even if the newest finding is correct, the risk is still quite small--about two cases per 1,000 people between age 60 and 79 ...
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
09/03/2010
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
The family of bone-building drugs that includes Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva can double the risk of developing throat cancer, researchers reported Thursday in the latest development in what has become a confusing discussion. Other studies have reported no increase, but even if the newest finding is correct, the risk is still quite small--about two cases per 1,000 people between age 60 and 79 ...
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
09/03/2010
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
The family of bone-building drugs that includes Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva can double the risk of developing throat cancer, researchers reported Thursday in the latest development in what has become a confusing discussion. Other studies have reported no increase, but even if the newest finding is correct, the risk is still quite small--about two cases per 1,000 people between age 60 and 79 ...
Bone-building drugs double the risk of esophageal cancer, but the risk is still small
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