Colon Cancer Survivability

Colon cancer is a life threatening disease but it can be treated if it is diagnosed early and treated throughout its early stages.

Some of you have friends or family members who have battled with colon cancer. Or maybe if you are a sufferer yourself, you know how terrible and harmful this disease can be. The turmoil for both the person and for the family can be very overwhelming.

Cancer of the colon occurs in the inner lining of the colon, or the part of the large intestine which serves to remove water from the digested food moving through it on its way out of the body. Most of these cancers develop from growths in the colon called polyps. If they are detected and removed early enough, the potential for cancerous growths to develop in this area can be dramatically reduced.

Risk factors

Regularly sitting in front of the television and not doing enough exercise is putting you at a high risk of getting this form of cancer, among others. Alcoholism is another high risk factor, along with obesity. This is why we should all be aware of the colon cancer early symptoms and warning signs. Some of the most common signs are:

• Fatigue and weakness: This is because the presence of a tumour causes iron deficiency (anemia) that can make you feel extremely tired or maybe even lethargic.

• Abdominal pain or cramps: At times a tumour can cause a bowel obstruction, which blocks the colon.  Depending on how severe the blockage, solids, liquids and probably gas maybe trapped from passing which can then result in severe abdominal pain and cramps. Painful cramps can indicate that the tumour has poked its way through the bowel wall which can result in a medical emergency, requiring immediate attention.

• Unexplained weight loss: A few of us may not want to understand why we are losing weight without trying or for no apparent reason. We might even be delighted to see it happening.However, be aware, because effortless weight loss is a sign that something isn’t going right. Unexplained weight loss can mean that  the tumour is releasing chemicals which increase your metabolism.

• Bloating: This can happen from a tumour which has grown towards the end of the colon and this may often cause a feeling of fullness. This can give you the uncomfortable sensation that makes you experience the tumour as a ‘trapped’ piece of waste. You may find yourself saying to yourself, as you go to the toilet,  ‘I still haven’t finished’

• Shortness of breath: This is often linked with other symptoms like stress, anxiety, bloating and excess gas

Changes in bowel habits, constipation or narrow stools: A tumour which has grown huge can cause a very unpleasant bowel obstruction and may lead to constipation and blood flow restriction.

Colon cancer is a very common form of this disease in both women and men all over the world.  Many individuals who are otherwise used to leading an enjoyable lifestyle can suddenly be stricken with it at any time without warning because often it can be growing on the inside without us knowing anything about it at the beginning.

For this reason many of us want answers to questions about this dreadful disease in order to prepare for any eventuality. If you are unfamiliar with colon cancer, this is a great place to start understanding what it is and what causes it. Through reading the answers to the following frequently asked questions, you will gain a better understanding of this condition and have the chance to explore what it is and the effects it can have.

Who is affected by it?

It can run in families, and some types can be found through genetic testing. But generally it can happen to anyone not just a specific person or type and may be related to lifestyle choices, such as the kind of food you eat and how much or how little exercise you do.

What causes colon cancer?

Age can cause it and it is the number one risk factor. By age 50, 1 in 4 people have polyps. It has been indicated by research studies that alcohol increases the risk of contracting this deadly disease. Diabetics are up to 40% more likely to develop colon problems than people who don’t have diabetes.

Diets high in fat and cholesterol, especially from animal sources increase the risk. Obesity is not a nice word and no one would like to be called obese but this is also a fairly reliable indicator of whether you will become susceptible to developing cancerous tumours. Obesity is a medical term which means one who goes over their recommended weight. Being very overweight, or obese causes the person to be at a high risk of developing colon cancer. Lack of exercise is another main indicator. It is important to do regular exercise since research has shown that a sedentary lifestyle contributes to colonic problems from minor to the more serious.

Your personal medical history can impact on your chances of developing it too. If the person’s medical history includes bowel inflammation, polyps or certain other types of cancers this makes it particularly revelant.

Long term smoking is yet another risk factor, not just for lung cancer, as many might suppose but for many other types too including that of the colon

What are the stages of colon cancer?

There are 5 stages (rated as 0-4). At times you may hear people referring to their tumours in this manner which can sometimes cause some confusion. The following breakdown of each stage will help you understand and clarify the basic stages:

• Stage 0 is the earliest stage possible and is considered stage 0 because it hasn’t moved yet from where it has begun and it is still restricted to the deepest lining of the colon.

• Stage 1 is considered to be the stage at which it has extended beneath the innermost lining into the middle layers.

• Stage 2 is when it moves beyond the middle layers. It can still be considered as a stage 2 if it has only extended to nearby organs.

• Stage 3 is when it is found in the lymph nodes. This means it has reached stage 3.

• Stage 4 is the most advanced colon cancer stage and at this fifth stage it has spread towards nearby lymph nodes and also to other parts of the body. This could include parts of the body such as the liver and the lungs.

What is the mortality rate for this disease?

In 2008 there were over 16 and a half thousand deaths from colorectal cancer according to research studies. Over 10 thousand of these were from colon cancer. It is the 2nd highest cause of death in the United Kingdom after lung cancer. So the mortality rates can be pretty high.

How long do colon cancer people live?

There isn’t an answer for this question as there are so many stages to this disease, including how and where it has spread. Many people diagnosed with colon cancer can be, and are, cured, even some of the higher stage cases. It can give you a stronger reason and motivation to live. Finding out you have cancer can end up being one way of making the best of every day you have, so that, in fact you become more fully alive. There are many treatment choices available and each person will choose his or her own path

How does colon cancer spread?

It spreads slowly in stages. The spreading of cancer to the other organs such as the liver and the lungs occurs in the fourth stage. If it is caught within the early stages it is one of the easiest to cure but in advanced stages it is one of the most leading causes of death.

How does it affect the body?

The effects on the body are barely detectable in the early stages but rectal exams can help with early detections and decisions about the person’s chances of recovery. If the disease is detected early enough it has a 90% cure rate. If it is not cured the effects on the body can be devastating.

What treatments are available for colon cancer?

The main options given are the three standard ones.r. These include, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. But other alternative natural routes are also preferred by many and these include options such as acupuncture, homeopathy, natural nutrition, energy therapies, hypnotherapy and many more

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!