Download doc Colon Cancer

Running Head: COLON CANCER
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Colon Cancer
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COLON CANCER
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Colon Cancer
Colon cancer entails a tumor that grows in the walls of the large intestine. It is also
known as colorectal cancer. The disease is common in both genders. In 2011, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention showed that nearly 135, 260 people had the disease. Of the
number, 70,099 were men while 65,161 were women. In the same year, 51,783 people
succumbed to the disease in the USA alone. 26,804 men and 24, 979 women made up the people
that died in 2011. Although most people are unaware of the colon cancer, it is has spread and
continues to claim lives. Most people know breast and lung cancer, making the other types of
cancer gain little attention instead.
Causes
Although it has adverse effects on the health of the patient, the disease is not contagious.
Various factors tend to increase the risk of some getting disease as opposed to others. First,
excess fat in the body makes it more likely for one to get the disease. When one is in a family
that has a history of having cancer, also chances of getting the disease will be high. Even polyps
in the colon are a warning for an incoming danger (Jasperson et al, 2010). Other factors include
some bowel infections and the ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms
According to Ricci-Vitiani et al,(2007), the symptoms of the disease include the presence
of bloodstains in the stool. At times, it changes the color of the stool to dark as opposed to the
normal color. The change in the stool also occurs with a change in other habits such as
constipation as well as diarrhea. Some people may even experience cramping coupled with
abdominal pain. These symptoms also bring a significant weight loss because one tends to lose
appetite. One will be fatigued and fail to engage in productive activities because of body
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weakness. However, the symptoms are not consistent with every patient that seems to have the
infection. Instead, they vary depending on other various conditions. When one can experience
some of the symptoms, there is no need to assume that it is colon cancer because it might be
another infection. One should consult a doctor and undergo a medical check up to determine the
infection behind the symptoms.
Medical Tests to Identify the Tumor
Symptoms associated with colon cancer are very common; hence, there is a need to
conduct a medical checkup. More specifically, a lower GI series, which is mainly an X-ray
session, is the first test that can identify whether the symptoms arise from colon cancer. It
contains barium that is white in color and illustrates the entire colon with the same color, then
outlines a tumor appear as a dark image in the X-ray. Colonoscopy is another test that the
medical officer might undertake to identify the presence of the disease (Jasperson et al, 2010).
The main essence of carrying out colonoscopy is to identify the extent of cancer as well as the
particular location of the tumor in the walls of the large intestine. The procedure entails using a
long tube to identify the presence of polyps in the colon, which are then removed and diagnosed
to determine whether they are infected with a tumor in the colon. Colonoscopy is more accurate
opposed to the former approach.
Treatment
On the brighter side, treatment of the disease at the earlier stage is far easier than when it
has advanced. In fact, treatment of the disease depends on the size of the tumor, location, extent.
The health of the particular patient also plays an instrumental role in identifying the type of
treatment the doctors will adopt. Such requirements are important because some treatments
might put the life of the patient at risk instead. First, a surgery entails identifying the specific
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point that the tumor is located. Later, they remove it, together with a portion of intestines, and
lymph nodes that might be infected with the infection as well (Ricci-Vitiani et al, 2007).
Chemotherapy is another option that the doctors might take in treating colon cancer. Often, it is
applied to prevent the disease from recurring after a surgical operation to remove the tumor.
During the operation, some of the infections might spread to the other intestinal parts without the
knowledge of the surgeons. Hence, chemotherapy reduces a scenario where the tumor growth
begins again.
Follow-Up Care
After the surgery, it is advisable for the patient to undergo a follow-up care to ensure
proper recovery. In fact, cancer has the tendency or recurring; hence, a follow-up activity is
crucial in the treatment as well. First, the patient must undergo regular medical check-up and
tests. Someone that has a previous history of colon cancer can also get other forms of cancers
such as breast and lung cancer (Jasperson et al, 2010). Even prostate and ovary cancer might
arise after the surgery. Hence, the doctor should ensure that even the other types of cancer do not
infect the patient.The patient should embrace healthy eating because excess fat in the body plays
a part in increasing chances of getting the disease. In summary, recent research on the disease
shows hope in the future because they are identifying techniques of overcoming the colon
cancer.
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References
Colorectal Cancer Statistics. (2014, September 2). Retrieved June 3, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/statistics/
Jasperson, K., Tuohy, T., Neklason, D., & Burt, R. (n.d.). Hereditary And Familial Colon
Cancer. Gastroenterology, 2044-2058.
Ricci-Vitiani, L., Lombardi, D., Pilozzi, E., Biffoni, M., Todaro, M., Peschle, C., & De Maria, R.
(n.d.). Identification And Expansion Of Human Colon-cancer-initiating Cells. Nature,
111-115.