colon cancer

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symptom

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

Persistent changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or changes in stool consistency
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramping, gas, or pain
Feeling like your intestines are not completely emptying
weakness or fatigue
unexplained weight loss

Many people with colon cancer have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they may vary depending on the size and location of the cancer in the large intestine.

when to see the doctor

If you notice any persistent symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor about when to start colon cancer screening. Guidelines generally recommend starting colon cancer screening around age 50. If you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease, your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening.

reason

Doctors are not sure what causes most colon cancers.

Generally speaking, colon cancer starts when healthy cells in the colon have changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains a set of instructions that tell the cell what to do.

Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly manner to keep your body functioning properly. But when a cell's DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, the cell continues to divide—even when new cells are not needed. As cells accumulate, they form tumors.

Over time, cancer cells can grow and invade and destroy nearby normal tissue. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, forming deposits (metastasis) there.

risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:

Getting older. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but most people with colon cancer are over the age of 50. Colon cancer rates have been increasing in people under 50, but doctors aren't sure why.
African American race. African Americans are at greater risk of colon cancer than people of other races.
Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you already have colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps, you are at greater risk of developing colon cancer in the future.
Inflammatory bowel disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, increase the risk of colon cancer.
Genetic syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Some genetic mutations that are passed down in your family can significantly increase your risk of colon cancer. Only a small percentage of colon cancers are genetically linked. The most common genetic syndromes that increase the risk of colon cancer are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
Family history of colon cancer. You are more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a blood relative who has colon cancer. Your risk is greater if more than one family member has colon or rectal cancer.
A low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon and rectal cancer may be associated with a typical Western diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research results in this area are mixed. Some studies have found that people who eat a diet rich in red and processed meat have an increased risk of colon cancer.
Sedentary lifestyle. Inactive people are more likely to develop colon cancer. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer.
diabetes. People with diabetes or insulin resistance are at increased risk of colon cancer.
obesity. Compared with people of normal weight, obese people have an increased risk of developing colon cancer and an increased risk of dying from colon cancer.
smokes. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
Alcohol. Heavy drinking increases the risk of colon cancer.
Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancer increases the risk of colon cancer.

prevention

Screening for colon cancer

Doctors recommend that people at average risk for colon cancer consider colon cancer screening around age 50. But people who are at higher risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner.

A variety of filtering options exist—each with its own pros and cons. Discuss your options with your doctor and together you can decide which tests are right for you.

Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of colon cancer

You can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making changes to your daily life. Take measures:

Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that may play a role in preventing cancer. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables so you get a range of vitamins and nutrients.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit it to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.
Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking methods that may work for you.
Exercise most days of the week. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days. If you've been inactive, start slowly and gradually increase to 30 minutes. Also, talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you're a healthy weight, maintain it by combining a healthy diet with daily exercise. If you need to lose weight, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to achieve your goals. Aims to lose weight slowly by increasing the amount of exercise and reducing the number of calories you eat.

Colon cancer prevention for high-risk groups

Some drugs have been found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. For example, some evidence links a reduced risk of polyps and colon cancer to regular use of aspirin or aspirin-like medications. But it's unclear how much dose and for how long is needed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. There are some risks of taking aspirin every day, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

These options are generally reserved for people with a high risk of colon cancer. There is insufficient evidence to recommend these drugs to people with an average risk of colon cancer.

If you are at increased risk for colon cancer, discuss your risk factors with your doctor to determine whether preventive medications are safe for you.