What Is Colon Cancer? - A Disease That Has Guts To Kill!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in western countries like the U.S.. In fact, in the year 2008, 13 percent (13%) or 7.6 million of the total deaths of people around the world due to cancer. Among more than a hundred types of cancer, colon cancer is the fourth area of the most common cancers among men and women.

Colon cancer is abnormal cell growth and tumor formation in the colon (large intestine or colon) and rectum. These cells may spread (metastasize) and damage to other tissues or organs in the body, so, hereafter referred to as cancer cells. Basically, the colon serves as storage for manure before it is excreted from the body, while the distal end of the rectum, the colon, which is adjacent to the anus. These structures in the gastrointestinal tract are the main places for colon cancer, but cancer cells can metastasize to the liver, lungs and other vital organs. Consequently, injuries to organs caused by various cancer cells leads to several organ dysfunction that can lead to death of people.

The most common causes of cancer are as follows

• genetic or hereditary origin;

• High dietary fat intake,

• low-fiber diet (low consumption of vegetables and fruits)

• polyps (non-cancerous tumor) that are not removed from the colon, and

• Ulcerative colitis

Studies have shown that people with a family history of colon cancer are at high risk of developing the disease. Another cause of colon cancer has a high fat diet intake. Various studies show that the metabolism (breakdown) of fat results in the production of free radicals and carcinogens, which are substances that cause cancer. Meanwhile, a low intake of dietary fiber is usually associated with poor bowel movement resulting in the reduced ability of the body to eliminate waste substances including carcinogens. Cancer of the colon and rectum are also believed to be a complication of chronic ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), and polyps that are removed.

individual with colon and rectal cancer will experience signs and symptoms are often accompanied with other intestinal disorders, some of which are nonspecific. These events include:

• diarrhea (constipation and reduced if the tumor obstructs the passage of feces),

• abdominal pain, bloating and cramping,

• sudden weight loss

• fresh or old red blood, dark blood in the stool, which leads to anemia

• Body weakness or fatigue, and

• Shortness of breath

Thus, specific diagnostic tests carried out to determine the presence of colon cancer, such as GI series and kolonoskopija.Potvrdni test for cancer is a biopsy. This procedure is performed taking tissue samples from the colon during colonoscopy and their study through a microscope. Then, another series of diagnostic examinations, including chest x-ray, Ultrasound whole abdomen, or CAT scans, lung and abdomen are performed to check the spread of colon cancer cells to other organs in the body. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a marker of cancer can also be used for determining cancer metastasis via the blood.

In addition, the most definitive treatment for colon cancer is surgery, in which the affected bowel is cut and removed and the pieces are truly connected. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be part of a treatment plan, depending on the stage of cancer.

In principle, there are treatments for colon cancer, but they only aim to relieve signs and symptoms of palliative. Unfortunately, cancer remains neizlječiva.Osoba can live for months or years after cancer diagnosis, but is always at risk of premature death, even in the presence of palliative therapy. Like all other types of cancer, after colorectal cancer diagnosis is sobering. However, awareness of the disease is what makes people more alert to health issues.

information in this article is not a substitute for professional care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. You should consult your doctor if you have or suspect you May have health problems.