Colon Cancer
The growth of unwanted cells in the colon is called colon cancer. The colon is the first part of the large intestine. It is the largest part of the intestine, which is a part of the digestive system. The digestive system helps the body break down food to use it as an energy source.
Small clumps of cells called polyps are formed inside the colon; these aren’t generally cancerous but might turn out to be over the course of time. They usually don’t cause any symptoms and, therefore, must be checked once in a while for being on the safer side. Removing these polyps will help in preventing colon cancer.
There is a high chance of getting affected by colon cancer at a younger age if the person has a family history of colon or rectal cancer, has high cholesterol and has increased consumption of alcohol.
One can be aware and safe by getting themselves tested for colon cancer. The tests for colon cancer are colon screening, which includes a stool test screening, CT Colonography or colonoscopy and genetic screening (involving a blood test).
It is important to have a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoid alcohol and smoking to steer clear of colon cancer.
Causes of colon cancer
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- High-fat food
- Low-Fibre food
- Too much red meat
- Canned food
- Processed food
- Inflammatory Bowel disease
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Obesity
5 Important Indicators of Colon Cancer
1. Bleeding from the rectum or having blood in the stool.
2. The person feels tired and weak at most times and tends to lose weight all of a sudden.
3. Feeling like the bowel is not empty when one finishes pooping.
4. Feeling pain or discomfort in the abdomen and belly.
5. Experiencing diarrhoea or constipation very often.
Treatment for Colon Cancer
There are a variety of treatments for colon cancer. They range from medicines to surgery. Some of the treatment options for colon cancer are,
Partial colectomy
This procedure removes the part of the colon that has the tumour and some healthy tissues surrounding it. Later on, the healthy colon cells are reconnected through a procedure known as anastomosis.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Heat is used to destroy the cancer cells, and adjuvant therapy might be suggested along with this. This procedure is generally used before or after the surgery.
Surgical Resection and Colostomy
Similar to the partial colectomy, the tumour-affected parts of the colon are removed; however, the healthy colon cells are not reattached. Instead of reattaching the healthy colon cells, the bowel is moved to an opening made in a part of the abdominal wall from which the poop is collected.
Polypectomy
This procedure removes cancerous cells known as polyps.
Targeted Therapy: doctors commonly use a targeted therapy called monoclonal antibody therapy. Targeted therapy targets the genes, tissues, and proteins that aid in the growth of colon cancer. This technique uses artificial antibodies to attach themselves to the cancerous cells or the ones that favour the cancer cells and destroy them.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to shrink tumours.
Conclusion
Colon cancer used to be a concern for only older people once, but now, cases of colon cancer have been on the rise in people below 50 years as well. This has been a cause for concern since polyps, the clumps inside the colon causing colon cancer, have very subtle symptoms. There are a few tests that can determine if one has colon cancer.
FAQs
1. What is polyps?
Polyps are the clumps of cells formed inside the colon, and they are responsible for colon cancer.
2. What is the cause of colon cancer?
Colon cancer might be caused by a number of reasons like a low-fibre diet, a high-fat diet, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, etc.
