Colon cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer) is any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive tract (usually the colon or rectum). It is responsible for over 16,000 deaths in the UK each year and is therefore one of the most dangerous types of cancer around. There are a number of symptoms which could indicate that you have bowel cancer. In this article I will be discussing these signs and symptoms and hopefully give you the information to identify this disease sooner rather than later.

Unlike other conditions where the symptoms are often clear and easy to identify, colon cancer symptoms are usually vague and more difficult to spot. As the cancer becomes more advanced and the tumour grows, the symptoms become more noticeable. However, by this time it is often more difficult to treat the cancer effectively. That is why it is essential for you to be on the lookout for signs of bowel cancer at all times. By doing this you can significantly improve your chances of identifying colorectal cancer early and getting it treated. There are many symptoms associated with this type of cancer but below I have outlined four of the most common.

1) BLOOD IN THE STOOLS OR RECTAL BLEEDING:- This is probably the number one symptom of colon cancer. With this type of cancer the tumour develops in the final section of the digestive tract. Therefore, if the tumour bleeds some of this blood usually comes out of the rectum or in your stools. The bleeding is not usually significant but if you notice any at all then you should inform your doctor immediately.

2) PAIN IN THE STOMACH:- If the tumour gets large enough it can cause a blockage in your colon. This blockage can prevent solids, fluids or gases passing through your bowel which then leads to cramps and pains. In the worst cases, the tumour can grow so large that it breaks through your bowel wall which again causes major stomach pains. Although stomach pains are associated with multiple conditions, any prolonged pains could be indicative of colon cancer. If you experience these pains for an extended period go and see your doctor right away.

3) DIFFERENT BOWEL MOVEMENTS:- If the tumour becomes large it can also have an impact on your bowel movements. The blockage created by a large tumour can prevent stools from passing through the colon leading to constipation (difficulty passing stools). It can also cause a build up of fluid behind the tumour which eventually leaks through leading to diarrhea (difficulty controlling your bowel movements because your stools have become watery). If you notice any unusual bowel movements, particularly for long periods, this could be a sign of colorectal cancer and you should consult your doctor.

4) UNEXPECTED WEIGHT LOSS:- Sometimes tumours release chemicals which increase your metabolism and cause you to burn more calories than usual. Therefore, if you experience any unexpected or unexplained weight loss you should consult your doctor and get yourself tested for bowel cancer. Even if the weight loss is not linked to cancer it is still advisable to see your doctor because any weight loss that you cannot account for is likely to have some underlying cause.

As you can see from this article the symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious and easy to identify. However, I hope this article has shown you some of the things you should be looking out for. Bowel cancer is much more treatable if it is caught in the early stages so if you notice any of the above symptoms do not take any chances. Go see your doctor right away and get a professional verdict.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Colon cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the various colon cancer symptoms and get a free Fitness Tip every day for a full year by visiting his fitness websites.
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The part of the large intestine that joins the small intestine is called the caecum. Directly above the anus is a short length of large intestine – 12-15cm long – called the rectum. The colon extends from caecum to the rectum and is divided into 4 parts: the ascending colon, which rises upwards from the caecum; the transverse colon, which runs across the body from right to left; the descending colon, which sweeps downwards; and a relatively short section called the sigmoid colon, which leads to the rectum.

A major function of the colon is to extract fluids from what remains of food after its nutrients have been absorbed in the small intestine. The colon also provides a temporary storage place for solid wastes, as well as a channel for their removal from the body. Colon cancer and rectal cancer, often referred to collectively as cancer of the bowel, is one the most common cancers of the digestive system. All parts of the large intestine can develop cancer although most cases of colon cancer occur in the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum.

The type of food you eat seems to increase or decrease your chances of getting colon cancer. A variety of studies suggest that people who consume large quantities of high-fat and low-fibre foods run a greater risk than those who eat a low-fat and high-fibre diet. Therefore, you can reduce your chances of getting colon cancer by, decreasing the amount of ‘bad’ foods you eat and, increase your intake of ‘good’ cancer preventing foods.

Among the ‘good’ cancer preventing foods are vegetables (especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower), whole grains and legumes (beans and peas). Your diet should also include sufficient amounts of vitamin A and C, which, according to experts help to neutralise cancer-causing substances in food. Diet is one aspect that can control the onset of colon cancer, however, there are factors that you may have no control over. For instance, an uncommon inherited tendency to develop many small to large growths in the colon. These growths, or polyps, look somewhat like mushrooms.

There are signs that may be heeded as to whether cancer of the colon or large intestine is present or a condition that may lead to it, may be present in the body. In general, any persistent change in bowel habits should alert you. Diarrhoea or constipation that will not go away after about a week, despite the use of medication; stools that are narrower than usual, which can occur if a growth is blocking or narrowing any part of the colon or rectum are not sure indicators of colon cancer, but may indicate a problem and the sooner you find out exactly what these changes mean, the better your chances will be in dealing with them.

One indication that you may have cancer of the colon may turn up when a routine test for invisible traces of blood in the faeces is positive. Bear in mind that many other conditions besides cancer can lead to the presence of small amounts of blood in the faeces; these conditions can include haemorrhoids (piles), non-cancerous tumours or infections. A routine physical examination by a doctor should be done even when no colon cancer is suspected. After a general inspection, he may refer you to a specialist who will use an instrument called a sigmoidscope to examine the rectum and lower part of the sigmoid colon in more detail. If a colon cancer growth is detected, the specialist, perhaps in collaboration with a surgeon, will outline a course of treatment. The choice of therapy will be based on the size of the growth, on how much of the colon is affected and whether the cancer has spread to other areas.

Like many other cancers, there are three basic ways in which colon cancer can be treated: with surgery, radiotherapy or with anticancer drugs, or with a combination of these three approaches. The treatment will depend on where the colon cancer is situated, on its size and on whether it has invaded the wall of the colon or areas beyond it.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Colon Cancer
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Progress has been made recently in the search for a treatment to cure colon cancer. On October 6, 2006, The Journal of Biological Chemistry published a study about this and the results were astounding. They found out a particular molecule that is most probably one of the major cause of colon cancer worldwide. This particular molecule is termed as the C-Terminal Binding Protein or (CTBP). The C-Terminal Binding Protein is found in 85% of those diagnosed with colon cancer, this figure is astonishing and it proves beyond doubt that controlling this particular molecule is the answer to most of the cases in colon cancer in humans.

By immobilizing this particular molecule, doctors can stop the mutation that this molecule will brought about in the human gene called adenomatous polyposis coli, by doing this, doctors would prevent their patients from having colon cancer as this mutation is actually the first and foremost step in the development of colon cancer.

The scenario we can see in a human that has healthy cells, the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in humans would actually stop the spread of the C-Terminal Binding Protein by destroying it, therefore controlling the amount of this particular molecule in the body, the problem arises when the adenomatous polyposis coli gene has already mutated because it would no longer be able to control the amount of C-Terminal Binding Protein in the body. If this mutation isn’t stopped, the human intestine would not be able to function normally.

One of the results that come from C-Terminal Binding Protein is that it stops the normal procedure in the body that turns the Vitamin A it accumulated that later change into retinoic acid. If the Vitamin A isn’t changed into retinoic acid as is the normal procedure, the body would not be able to manufacture normal cells because retinoic acid is actually the ones responsible for the determination of what kinds of cells the body should form and how long these cells will remain in the body.

If the body had retained an unnecessary amount of C-Terminal Binding Protein, it could be dangerous as this could lead to colon cancer. The reason for this is because the body would not be able to produce adequate amount of retinoic acid that it really needs. So when in the mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli the culprit, the C-Terminal Binding Protein is removed, the result would be the restoration of the normal function in the intestines because the level of manufacturing the retinoic acid that is of utmost importance was made to be back to normal.

But the downside to this otherwise beneficial breakthrough is that the C-Terminal Binding Protein is an unfamiliar agent to stop or remove from the body. Researchers are now studying some drugs that can help the body in stopping the actions of the C-Terminal Binding Protein before it poses a greater threat to the human body.

Understanding the importance of retinoic acid and its role in preventing the mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in the human body is important. By understanding the functions of our body better we will be able to protect ourselves against colon cancer and also safeguard our over all health.

This particular study is really an essential break through because right now cancer in the colon is one of the cancers that really kills people especially in the United States. This type of cancer is also one of the common types found in the Western World.

Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR’S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
Charlene J. Nuble
For All the things you need to know about vitamins, please go to: Vitamin A
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If you start noticing a change in your bowel habits, believe it or not you want it to be IBS if it’s going to be an ongoing issue. Colon Cancer and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) both have closely related symptoms and can leave you in bad shape when it comes to how you feel. The largest difference between the two is obviously that the Cancer will kill you if it’s not taken care of.

Most Doctors will agree that IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Basically what this means is that after every other thing has been tested and you are showing to have an otherwise healthy colon, this is the last thing you will be diagnosed with.

Colon Cancer affects over 100,000 new people each year and has roughly a 33% mortality rate each year as well. The key being that you want to find the disease before it has a chance to spread.

IBS is a more common disease that affects your bowel habits and can mimic the same symptoms as the cancer. Loose stools (diarrhea), constipation, pencil thin stools, frequent defecation.

Because these are so similar, many Doctors will run extensive tests to make sure there is no tumors in your large intestine which is mainly done through what is known as a colonoscopy. This is where a long snake like hose is inserted through the rectum and travels through the large intestine in search for abnormalities and other differences in structure.

These are easy procedures to have done as you are normally sedated. The key is to not be scared to talk with your Doctor if you notice any of the symptoms above.

Want to know the other symptoms of Colon Cancer? Visit http://online-cancer-guide.info and find out this information to ensure you don’t have this horrible disease!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Sumner

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Have you ever wondered why there is so much colon cancer around today? A hundred years ago it was almost unheard of; it was rare, so why not look at what has changed over those hundred years that is causing the problem. There are many useful changes one can make and they are removing the known causes and with the amazing self-healing powers of our immune system, which we were born with and are with us right through life, the body can heal and we can become cancer free.

All cancers including colon cancer have 4 main causes and they are our wrong food choices, the toxic chemicals we encounter everyday, our sedentary lifestyle or our lack of exercise and lastly emotional stress or not letting go of a problem we may have. Let’s look at each one of these.

The natural foods for the human body are freshly grown fruit and vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Our diets have changed vastly over the last hundred years and now days we eat mainly processed foods, including lots of meat and dairy products. All processed foods are nutritionally dead food because they are old and there is proof to that. Also most of them contain a high proportion of fat, salt or refined sugar and all those items are known contributors to cancer. Most importantly, there is a direct relationship between colon cancer and the consumption of meat because of its lack of fibre, another fact that is well known. Also cooking meat over a high temperature produces a carcinogenic substance called “heterocyclic amines” or HCAs. Cooking on barbeques or hot frypans are examples of that.

The chemicals we use everyday that are mostly from the petro-chemicals industry are all affecting our immune system. Probably the worst ones are the personal care products that we apply directly to our skin and because of its porous nature, are absorbed into our body. Not all chemicals are checked for toxicity and those that are checked, are only checked for short term effects like skin allergies, not long term problems like cancer.

Thanks to the ubiquitous motor car and other labour saving devices we don’t get the exercise we use to. The television set is also partly responsible as it forms a big part of our entertainment today. Exercise is very important because our built in repair system which is the immune system which everybody has, needs muscular activity for it to function properly.

Lastly stress can have a major impact on the human body which can bring on any cancers, not just colon cancer. My suggestion is to seek professional help if you have had a major trauma like the loss of a loved one or a personal or business crisis.

Colon cancer does not have a single cause but many contributing factors. That’s why not all big meat eaters get colon cancer. By identifying and removing many of the causes the human body can heal itself naturally and permanently.

You can only make an informed decision on your treatment if you have the information on the subject to make those decisions. The more you choose to get involved, the greater a difference you will make to the outcome of your disease.

Alan Wighton is an independent health researcher, having spent many years gaining knowledge, particularly on the subject of cancer. If you have found this article helpful and would like to learn more, visit his website where you can download a free article that has been written with facts and information to help people overcome their cancer. http://www.cancerhealed.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Wighton

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