Colon cancer symptoms are not always clear and are often so subtle that they are mistaken for less serious conditions. Colon cancer symptoms are often silent and so they go undetected. As the symptoms are usually confused with less deadly conditions it enables the cancer to progress further before diagnosis and treatment. These symptoms are very serious indeed and lead to cancer of the colon, which is in the top three of the most life-threatening forms of cancer in men.

Symptoms commonly do not give early warning signs of cancer, but through medical history, professional examination and testing, a symptoms diagnosis or determination of the presence of cancer may be determined. Symptoms often do not lead straight to the underlying diagnosis and many symptoms can be misleading. Symptoms can remain dormant for as long as five years, by which time the cancer will have moved long past the treatable stage.

Understanding cancer of the colon symptoms is important, as you can use this knowledge to work with your doctor to uncover the cause and take care of your long-term health. Some of the more common local symptoms include changes in your bowel habits, such as bowel movements that are either more or less frequent than normal, constipation (difficulty having a bowel movement or straining to have a bowel movement), Diarrhea (loose or watery stools), Intermittent (alternating) constipation and diarrhea and bright red or dark red blood in your stools or black, dark colored, “tarry” stools.

Stools that are thinner than normal (“pencil stools”) or feeling as if you cannot empty your bowels entirely, abdominal discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains, or cramps. If you experience any of these for two or more weeks, call your doctor right away to discuss your concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Colon Cancer is one of only a few preventable cancers. To read the full article please visit my blog on Colon Cancer Symptoms or find out more about how Colon Cleansing can help prevent colon cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Hargreaves

Colon cancer is a major illness and one that can cause life altering effects. In fact, this form of cancer is one of the most common in the nation. Most colon cancer patients suffer from polyps, which are abnormal cells that form clusters. When normal cells begin to transform, a potential problem arises. As time progresses, these growths get bigger and can lead to the development of cancer. A vast majority of sufferers have a family history with the disease. In addition, the risk of developing colon cancer increases with age and is most common in those ages 50 and up. Certain individuals simply carry the genetic makeup, which can be identified through a series of tests, that may lead to colon cancer.

While there are no certain ways to pinpoint exactly who develops cancer, or why, there are several risk factors that may increase an individual’s chance of developing the illness. Among them, a previous battle with cancer, a family history with colon cancer, poor diets, smoking and obesity. With so many risk factors, one may wonder if there is anything that they can do in order to prevent colon cancer. Studies show that a lot of physical activity or exercise and a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to reduce the risks. In addition, certain medicines may also help to prevent the disease.

As is the case with many ailments, symptoms are often very similar to those of other diseases. It can be extremely difficult to get an accurate assessment of what’s wrong when so many illnesses carry the same symptoms. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical attention if an individual experiences abnormal bleeding, weakness, pale complexion or abdominal expansion without weight gain, nausea, any change in bowel movements or weight loss. Each person is different and, as such, symptoms may vary slightly. Because symptoms may either present themselves as severe or barely noticeable, it is recommended that patients be screened regularly for the presence of cancer causing factors.

If left untreated, any type of cancerous cells have the ability to grow and spread throughout the rest of the body. This can lead to the need for further surgery, more intense treatments or, in the worst case, a cancer may become so advanced that it will not respond to treatment. When seeking medical attention, it’s important to understand that there are a series of tests that can detect and diagnose colon cancer. A physician will be able to answer any questions that a patient may have regarding treatment options and the likelihood of their success.

This article should not be construed as professional medical advice. If you, or someone that you know, is concerned about the possibility of cancer, you should seek medical attention immediately. A medical doctor can discuss various options, prevention and treatment possibilities should the presence of cancer be detected. A series of tests may be conducted in order to confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis and can only be done by a medical doctor.

A small study revealed that quercentin and curcumin wich are extracted from onions and curry could have a big impact on colon cancer, reducing it significantly.

Five persons were chosen for this study that appeared in August. All five of them had a hereditary disorder called familial adenomatous polyposis that is the cause for the appearing of colon cancer by creating hundreds of colorectal polyps. Ussualy this is treated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The problem with these drugs are their side really bad side effects like internal ulcers and bleeding.

During the six months the study lasted, each of patients received daily 20 mg of quercetin (extracted from onions) and 480 mg of curcumin (extracted from curry). After this period it was found that the colorectal cancer cells dropped significantly. The number of polyps decreased by 60 percent while the average size of polyps by 51 percent. At one patient the number of polyps increased in the first phase because he didn’t listen to the rules set by his doctors but, but after he started listening to the advices the number of polyps decreased immediately.

For the first time it was shown that curcumin has a similar effect as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in reducing the amount of polyps. Although the effect is similar curcumin is way better because it has minimal side effects.

By simply adding onions to a regular diet a pacient would ingest the quantity of quercetin needed to control the numbers and size of polyps, but the amount of curcumin you could ingest eating cury wouldn’t be enough. That’s why researchers advise using curcuming supplements for an effective cancer treatment.

Although the results where pretty convincing a larger study is required before curcumin and quercetin supplements could be introduced in regular cancer treating.

About the Author:For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about metastatic colon cancer please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/metastatic-colon-cancer.htm
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Regular Vegetables Discovered to Work Against Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer also known Colorectal cancer. Colon cancer 2nd most deaths for cancers in the US. Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 deaths worldwide per year.Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time.

Colon cancer often causes no symptoms until it has reached a relatively advanced stage. Thus, many organizations recommend periodic screening for the disease with fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. It is common in the Western world, and is rare in Asia and Africa. In countries where the people have adopted western diets, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Polyps of the colon and rectum are almost always benign and usually produce no symptoms. They may, however, cause painless rectal bleeding or bleeding not apparent to the naked eye. There may be single or multiple polyps. Polyps greater than 1 centimeter have a greater cancer risk associated with them than polyps under 1 centimeter. Polyps with atypia or dysplasia are also more likely to progress on to colon cancer. The risk of cancer is much higher in sessile villous adenomas than in pedunculated tubular adenomas. Cancer is found in 40% of villous adenomas, as compared to 15% in tubular adenomas.

Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer. Surgery remains the primary treatment while chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be recommended depending on the individual patient’s staging. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don’t have much contact with the lining of the intestine. High-fiber foods are also rich in phytonutrients, which appear to protect against several forms of cancer. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer. There is certainly just as much buzz about folate and colorectal cancer prevention as there has been about calcium. The jury is still out on antioxidants and the prevention of colorectal cancer. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

Colon Cancer Treatment and Nutrition Tips

1. Chemotherapy is also used to treat patients with stage IV colon cancer.

2. Radiotherapy may be recommended Treatment fot colon cancer.

3. High-fiber foods help move waste through your digestive tract faster.

4. Calcium and vitamin D also seem to help protect against colorectal cancer.

5. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C or carotenoids, may reduce cancer risk but other studies have failed to back up these results.

6. Vegetables high in folate, like leafy greens, seem to offer particular protection from colon cancer, especially for those who drink alcohol.

7. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, also contain phytochemicals that may prevent damage to colon cells.

About the Author:Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care. More information on health related topics visit our site at http://www.health-care-articles.info.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Colon Cancer and Nutrition

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Colorectal Cancer Attitudes Vary by Ethnicity (nlm.nih.gov)
• P.E.I. turning to mail for colorectal screening (cbc.ca)
• Natural compounds, chemotherapeutic drugs may become partners in cancer therapy (scienceblog.com)
• Colon Cleansing: Detox Your Body for Better Health (projectswole.com)

There is a very tight bond between polyps and colon cancer. That is to say that, although polyps are almost always benign, if they do turn out to be malign then you develop colon cancer.

Polyps can be found in other parts of the body, besides the colon. In time, if you have these growths in your colon, you can develop colon cancer. The size and shape of the polyps varies. Almost all polyps that one has in the rectum are benign, that is to say that they do not cause colon cancer and do not cause any symptoms as well. As time goes by, so does the risk of developing colon cancer increases. If you have polyps and do not remove them, you will are much at risk of developing colon cancer. After five years the risk of colon cancer is only 3 percent, but in ten years time it goes as high as 10 percent. After almost twenty years from being diagnosed with polyps, the risk of developing colon cancer reaches almost 25 percent. If one has it’ s polyps removed, the risk of having colon cancer is almost 2 percent, compared to almost eight if you do not remove them. Furthermore, if the polyps are removed by colonoscopy then the risk of developing colon cancer is reduced considerably.

On the other hand, if you do get diagnosed with colon cancer, there is no need to worry very much. The rate of colon cancer cure is very good. One of the most important factors of risk when talking about colon cancer is age. As older you get, as bigger the risk of developing colon cancer gets. Moreover, men are also more at risk of having colon cancer than women. In this type of cancer, the color of your skin also seems to be a factor. Black people are more at risk of having colon cancer than white people are. If you are a drinker or if you smoke, then the risk of developing colon cancer further increases. Exercise and a proper weight are important when talking about colon cancer. For example, if you are a sedentary person or if you have a “few ” extra pounds, then the risk of colon cancer increases.

Studies have shown that if you do not eat enough vegetables or fruits, or if you smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day, then the risk of having polyps is much grater, thus increasing the risk of developing colon cancer.

About the Author:For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about stage3 colon cancer or even about colon cancer diet
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Colon Cancer and Polyps

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Simpler Colon Cancer Screening (technologyreview.com)
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• American College of Gastroenterology 2008 Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening (casesblog.blogspot.com)
• P.E.I. turning to mail for colorectal screening (cbc.ca)