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Colon Cancer

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Colon Cancer Empty Colon Cancer

Post  Stingray Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:56 pm

A friend of mine recently died from Colon Cancer. He fought a long battle. Anyone else going through this and need encouragement or has anyone lost someone to this and need comfortiing?
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Colon Cancer Empty Re: Colon Cancer

Post  Hummingbird Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:35 pm

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.

Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.

Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become colon cancer.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

* A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks
* Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
* Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
* A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
* Weakness or fatigue
* Unexplained weight loss

Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they'll likely vary, depending on the cancer's size and location in your large intestine.

When to see a doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, make an appointment with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.

It's not clear what causes colon cancer in most cases. Doctors know that colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in the colon become altered. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But sometimes this growth gets out of control — cells continue dividing even when new cells aren't needed. In the colon and rectum, this exaggerated growth may cause precancerous cells to form in the lining of your intestine. Over a long period of time — spanning up to several years — some of these areas of abnormal cells may become cancerous.

Precancerous growths in the colon
Colon cancer most often begins as clumps of precancerous cells (polyps) on the inside lining of the colon. Polyps can appear mushroom-shaped. Precancerous growths can also be flat or recessed into the wall of the colon (nonpolypoid lesions). Nonpolypoid lesions are more difficult to detect, but are less common. Removing polyps and nonpolypoid lesions before they become cancerous can prevent colon cancer.

Inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer
Inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer can be passed through families, but these inherited genes are linked to only a small percentage of colon cancers. Inherited gene mutations don't make cancer inevitable, but they can increase an individual's risk of cancer significantly. Inherited colon cancer syndromes include:

* Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and rectum. People with untreated FAP have a greatly increased risk of developing colon cancer before age 40.
* Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC, also called Lynch syndrome, increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers. People with HNPCC tend to develop colon cancer before age 50.

Both FAP and HNPCC can be detected through genetic testing. If you're concerned about your family's history of colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether your family history suggests you have a risk of these conditions.

Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:

* Older age. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.
* African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
* A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you've already had colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
* Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Long-standing inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
* Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, which is also known as Lynch syndrome.
* Family history of colon cancer and colon polyps. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater. In some cases, this connection may not be hereditary or genetic. Instead, cancers within the same family may result from shared exposure to an environmental carcinogen or from diet or lifestyle factors.
* Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meats.
* A sedentary lifestyle. If you're inactive, you're more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
* Diabetes. People with diabetes and insulin resistance may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
* Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
* Smoking. People who smoke cigarettes may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
* Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol may increase your risk of colon cancer.
* Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers may increase the risk of colon cancer.
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Colon Cancer Empty Re: Colon Cancer

Post  Sahara55 Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:10 am

Hi Hummingbird!

Thanks for contribute interesting information for this community.

Cancer of the colon and rectum is able to show signs of it in several ways. If you have a few of these indications, seek instant medical help.

01. Unexplained vomiting
02. Small-caliber
03. Rectal pain
04. Abdominal pain
05. Associated with pale skin

Cancer is an extensive term that cover over one hundred dissimilar types of cancer. Although each kind has its own set of uniqueness, there are some cancer indications that occur in several types of cancer.

Here are symptoms that may occur in precise types of cancers:

01. Stomach cancer- Indigestion, vomiting blood, loss of taste, heartburn
02. Leukemia- Weight loss, fever, spleen, bruising, Weakness
03. Bladder cancer- Cloudy urine, hurt to urinate
04. Oral cancer- Foul breath, speech changes, a lump in the oral cavity
05. Kidney cancer-bolus in kidney locale, Blood in urine, dull ache in side
06. Pancreatic cancer- Spleen, abdominal masses, unidentified weight loss

Thanks.
---------------------------------
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Colon Cancer Empty Re: Colon Cancer

Post  Hummingbird Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:46 am

Thank you so much for your input and Welcome to our little group Sahara55!!
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Colon Cancer Empty Re: Colon Cancer

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