Contrary to the popular misconception, colon cancer is a common ailment that affects both men and women. Indeed, it is seen as the third most common reason for cancer deaths in women. Hence, women should never underestimate their ability to develop cancerous enlargements on the inner walls of their colons. This terrible fallacy of it being a ‘man’s disease’ needs to be replaced with education on the risk factors for women, how they can curtail the occurrence of colon cancer, and the proper ways to receive screening and treatment, diminishing its impact.

What are the risk factors for women with regards to cancer of the colon? Well, it has been stated that as a woman increases in age, she is more likely to develop colon cancer as this hazard increases two fold every five years. This is not made better with the process of menopause or if colon cancer runs in the family.

Unfortunately, women with other types of cancers such as breast and uterine cancer, are also viable prospects for colorectal cancer. But when all is said and done, there are ways in which a woman can protect herself from developing colon cancer or in cases where it already exists, decrease its impact. These include receiving the proper screening, more formally known as a colonoscopy. This test detects the early signs and symptoms of colon cancer so that it can be treated. This is why it is important for women to not have a high fat or low fiber diet but one rich in fruits and vegetables, as it reduces these risks. Furthermore, hormone replacement therapy is a good method used with women who have gone through menopause to reduce the likelihood of colon cancer as well. All in all, regular exercise and daily supplements such as calcium should be taken, which has been proven to have reduced the risk of having a cancerous colon by 30-50% in women.

Finally, as the colonoscopy has been proven to be the best tool employed for early detection of cancer of the colon, women should know all about such a procedure. A colonoscopy gives doctors a clear view of the lining of the colon to identify any signs of growths or enlargements resulting in this cancer. This 15-30 minutes examination involves the insertion of a slender, supple scope with a camera and an illuminator into the anus. With a running cost of $500 to $1000, the patient is made to take a number of pills or to drink a lot of a special fluids to release the bowels beforehand so that when the individual is sedated and examined, a clear depiction of what is going on inside the colon can be obtained.

There is really nothing to be scared about while going through this process. You will normally be sedated and made as comfortable as possible while you are examined. Besides, it is all for a good cause, which is maintaining your health. Because colon cancer is becoming so common in women, it is better to be in the know than to be clueless until it is too late. Be proactive and get yourself tested today!

Check out our site to find out more about recovery from colon cancer after surgery and colon cancer surgery complications.
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Colon cancer is becoming more common. There will be around 125,000 new cases diagnosed in America this year. Many of these cases are in people more than 50 years old and are random. A small percentage, approximately 10%, however are not random, they have an inherited form of colon cancer. This could be caused by four different hereditary conditions, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis, juvenile polyposis (this may also be nonhereditary) and Peutz-Jegher’s syndrome.

Colon cancer is caused by damage to the genes in your colon cells. These damages can cause the cells to grow unrestricted. This unrestricted growth becomes a polyp, which will become cancerous if it’s not removed. Usually it takes a long time for polyps to develop and even longer to become cancerous. That’s why colon cancer is rare in people less than 50 years old. The cases in people less than 50 are frequently caused by an inherited condition.

Inherited colon cancers are difficult to accurately diagnose. It is first considered when a person has a strong family history of colon cancer and the affected family members are from separate generations. For example – a man has two uncles and a cousin that have been diagnosed, this would be a strong family history. With a bit of research into that patient’s family tree, many more cases of colon cancer may be found and documented.

The two most common inherited colon cancers are hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Recently the genes that cause each of these conditions were identified and now a blood test has been developed that tells you if you have inherited the disease. Thanks to these blood tests, a person who has inherited the disease can begin getting tested for colon cancer at an earlier age than most people. This early testing allows physicians to catch the disease in the early stages, when it is most treatable. It also allows a doctor to determine if a course of chemoprevention is appropriate, or if other prevention strategies are more appropriate.

Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer occurs when the gene damage interferes with cell repair. HNPCC causes about 5% of all colon cancer diagnoses, but it can cause other cancers as well. HNPCC can also cause cancers in the urinary system (kidney, bladder, or ureter), the female reproductive system (uterus, endometrium, or ovaries), or the rest of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach, small intestine, or pancreas). A person with HNPCC has an 80% chance of developing colon cancer. Even with this high risk, regular checkups and cancer screenings can save your life by preventing or catching cancer early on.

Familial adenomatous polyposis causes hundreds, even thousands, of polyps to develop in a person’s digestive tract. Because a person affected by FAP begins developing colon polyps at an early age – he or she often develops colon cancer by age 40, ten years earlier than most physicians even begin screening for it. This is why it is recommended that people with a family history get the blood test for FAP.

Not much is known about juvenile polyposis. Some forms of juvenile polyposis are hereditary, but there isn’t a commercial genetic test yet. The only test available is used strictly for research purposes. Juvenile polyposis often causes polyps in the colon and small intestine. If there are any symptoms present, they are usually caused by the polyps in the colon. Surgery is often the suggested treatment in such cases.

Peutz-Jegher’s syndrome is a genetic condition that causes intestinal polyps and freckles on the skin of the mouth. There are no recorded cases of Peutz-Jegher’s freckles developing into skin cancer. The main risk of colon cancer comes from the intestinal polyps. These polyps are usually found in the small intestine and can become so large that they cause an intestinal blockage. Around half of all Peutz-Jegher’s sufferers require surgery for a blockage by the age of 20. Peutz-Jegher’s has also been associated with an increased risk of other cancers and it is recommended that all Puetz-Jegher’s sufferers begin cancer screenings at an earlier age than the general population.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Colon Cancer
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Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, after lung and breast.But the good news is that if it’s caught early, more than eight out of ten people can be treated successfully. The ability of the liver and kidneys to work effectively all depends on the health of our colon. Colon cleaning is the process through which we detoxify our colon. Maybe it’s the American love of red meat or the uk’s abillity to smoke so much, or maybe it’s in our genes.

Either way colon cancer is in the public eye as one the most common types of cancer in the U.S. today. Bowel Cancer affects the large bowel and the rectum, which are the lower parts of our digestive system. The exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown but people who have a family history of the disease come under the high-risk category of developing bowel cancer.

Look out for:
- Bleeding from the back passage without a reason.
- A persistent change in your bowel habit towards looser or more frequent bowel motions.
- Bloating, swelling, pain or an unexplained lump in the tummy.
- Tiredness or feeling pale.
- If you have any of these symptoms for more than 4-6 weeks, you should make an appointment to see
your GP.
- Most of these symptoms won’t be due to bowel cancer but its better to be on the safe side.

If they are signs of bowel cancer, the earlier they are picked up, the greater the chance of successful treatment.
If you notice any of these symptoms, get them checked out.

Reducing your risk of bowel cancer, There’s a lot that you can do to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer in the first place,

Including:

Keeping a healthy weight.
Being physically active.
Eating a healthy diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat.
Drinking less alcohol.
Stopping smoking.

From my prospective, prevention is the cure, even from the fear of hereditary cancer. We can still help our selves.
I have been very luck with the people i have met so far on this, my journey through rectum cancer. One treatment
i have already started taking is “Colon Cleanse” a good friend recommended them to me and i got then for free and
you can try then for “free” when you click on the link below.

Authur Ian Anderton would like to say thanks for your time in reading my article, at the bottom of this is an opportunity to get free Colon Cleanse, yes “Free”. If this helps any one then i feel i have accomplished some thing with my article. Thanks. Please use the link even if only for more information on “Colon Cleanse” http://www.free-medication-free.info
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The colon is part of the body’s digestive system and, like many other parts of the body, can become a place for the growth of cancer. A tumor in this region is known as colon cancer. And like some other cancers, the tumor can develop without necessarily giving the patient obvious signs or symptoms, certainly at the beginning of the disease. And again like some other cancers, the patient can have symptoms which are common to colon cancer without the cancer being there at all.

The colon plays two important roles. It helps the body absorb various essentials such as minerals, nutrients and water and it also assists in ridding the body of waste products. Most of the large intestine is part of the colon and the latter part of the large intestine is made up of the anal canal and the rectum.

So what symptoms could be a sign that the patient has developed colon cancer? Well here are some of the symptoms which deal specifically with your toilet habits and your colon.

• Constipation which means the patient has trouble having a bowel movement. There could be a blockage due to the growth of a tumor.
• Unusual bowel movements which could mean [a] more movements than normal or fewer movements or [b] producing abnormal stools which may be thinner than usual or [c] discolored stools which could be red or black.
• Diarrhea
• A combination of constipation followed by diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain which could include cramps, gas or bloating.

There are other symptoms for patients with colon cancer but these are more general and can apply to the body as a whole.

• Weight loss particularly when the patient is not trying to lose weight.
• A change of skin color which can be called jaundice seen also in the whites of your eyes.
• Being sick with vomiting and nausea and generally feeling unwell.
• Losing your appetite and not being interested in food.
• Being tired and even fatigued to the extent that you have little energy.
• Anemia which is a lack of iron in your blood.

As with other cancers, having some of the above symptoms does not mean you have colon cancer and many people will suffer from an upset stomach and anemia when they do not have colon cancer. But the advice is always the same. Do not delay in seeing your doctor if these symptoms exist. It is far better to be safe than sorry and the sooner any cancer which may exist is detected, the better are your chances of beating the disease.

There will always be some people who are afraid of or embarrassed about taking a colon cancer test. There is no need to think or feel that way. Patients should know that the test does not hurt, that millions of people have been tested for this disease and that the medical staff who are involved in the test have at some time been patients themselves. It’s a simple and safe procedure with potentially great benefits.

As isolated as you may feel right now, you are not alone. Cancer diagnosis is no longer the end of the story. Cancer survivors prove every day that this can be the beginning of a whole new positive chapter in your life. Join our unique community of cancer survivors to be right now and receive a FREE report on Cancer Survivor’s tips.
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Colon cancer along with breast and cervical cancer is considered to be one of the ‘big three’ cancers that is prevalent in North America. The colon is the ‘tube’ at the end of our digestive tract which stores waste prior to its expulsion. The termination of the colon is called the ‘rectum’ and the complete tubular structure is the large intestine. This whole system is considered together when we are discussing colon cancer.

Symptoms associated with colon cancer:

There are no concrete symptoms that can be used to diagnose colon cancer directly, but rather there are a cluster of conditions that may signify there is a problem. So if in doubt, it is best to visit your physician.

Common Symptoms:

1. If the cancer is in proximity to the anus: constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus (painful and constant need to empty the bowels), narrowing of stool, and presence of blood or mucus in the stools.

2. If the cancer is located further up: melena, or black stool is a commonly reported symptom.

3. Large colon cancer tumors may obstruct the passing of feces and show up as constipation, abdominal pain or distension. Vomiting can also occur.

4. Anemia, weight loss, and a loss of appetite are also signs.

Risk Factors:

1. Genetics: If cancer runs in the family, with a large number of close relatives afflicted or an unusually young age to develop cancer, this can point to high risk of colon cancer.

Other conditions are familial adenomatous polyposis which makes cancer in the colon more likely and should warrant an immediate visit to the physician.

2. Age: The chances of developing colon cancer jump suddenly once an individual hits the 60s, and thus regular check ups after this age become a must.

3. Smoking and drinking present high risk factors.

4. Consuming large amounts of meat with little fiber puts us at greater risk.

5. Sedentary individuals are also at higher risk.

6. Other conditions correlating to increased risk of colon cancer are lowered selenium levels, a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Can a Colonic help me?

Tests available for colon cancer:

1. Barium enema x-ray: As the name suggests an enema is administered and the barium contained within is able to expose tumors or polyps as dark shadows on x-rays

2. Colonoscopy: It is the most commonly used test. A tube with video capabilities is inserted up the intestinal tract to detect polyps. If any polyps are found tests are conducted to see if they are colon cancer, depending on the results of subsequent biopsies. Biopsies require small tissue samples from the patient. If cancer is confirmed, the polyp has already been removed (due to colonoscopy), but tests need to be performed to search for metastasis if any. Typically the lungs, liver and the abdomen are especially important.

CEA is a product of some cancerous cells, whose elevated concentrations is used as an indication of spread of colon cancer.

Treatment options:

1. Surgery:

The colon cancer tumor, some of the surrounding tissue and neighboring lymph nodes are removed. After the removal, the cavity in the intestine is patched up. If the tumor was present in the rectum, the whole rectum has to be removed. In this case a colostomy will be performed, to facilitate the excreta to leave the body through an opening in the abdomen known as a stoma. Special post-operative services are provided to help patients get used to this alteration. Metastasis of the colon cancer to other organs determines the survival chances of the patient following surgery.

2. Chemotherapy:

Medications are administered after colon cancer surgery, usually about 5 weeks later, to kill off microscopic cancer cells that cannot be detected. However the medications also destroy a large amount of blood cells leading to weakness and a diminished immune system. Thus the course is given as multiple sessions with periods of rest to allow for recovery. Thus, the medications are allowed to permeate the whole body to destroy any of these remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy has statistically improved survival rates and correspondingly decreased number of tumor recurrences.

3. Radiation therapy:

It may be given before or after surgery, and its use has been particularized to the cancer of the rectum. Colon cancer can be deadly and at best is extremely painful and discomforting. By practicing a healthy diet and having regular check-ups, we can greatly reduce our chances of the disease.

Lysa Nguyen is a health enthusiast and seeking to find the real answers concerning the latest health, nutrition, and diet fads. She has been writing for many years and also enjoys travel and fitness. She finds out the facts on nutrition from Gethealthyhq.com, but her views may not always match. To find out, 20 questions about body cleanses you are curious about or should be asking, please go to Body Cleanses.
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