Most people develop colon cancer rather slowly, over one or two years. The 1st stage of development happens when a mass of tissues, growths or polyps ( a cluster of benign growths ) grow in the colon walls. Polyp type cancers can grow into the wall of the gut, occupy nearby lymph nodes and spread to other organs in the body. This is named “metastatic colon cancer” due to its mobility. In a few cases, the lining of the bowel might be irregular and inflamed, that may also lead to cancer.

To stop colon cancer, regular testing is important after the age of 50. Before talking about colon cancer prevention, let’s rap a little about what colon cancer is, precisely. Both the bowel and anus are a part of the gut. The 1st part of the gut, which is the esophagus and stomach, breaks down food to be processed into energy. Next, the broken down food travels to the small intestines / bowel, which is a narrow, 20-foot section that continues breaking down food and soaking up almost all of the nutriments. The small intestine then sends the leftover material to the five-foot-long colon ( which is also known as “the huge intestine” ), where it absorbs salt and water and stores waste.

The 1st part of the bowel is the rising colon, which is attached to the small intestines and the appendix on the right side of the stomach. The cross colon runs from a right to the left side of the higher stomach. The descending colon travels downward on the left side and the sigmoid colon is an S-shaped portion that passes food matter down to the lower colon, the final 6 inches of the guts, that may pass food out of the body thru the anal sphincter.

Nobody is truly sure what precisely causes a colon cancer cell to develop in the 1st place, or why some experience a colon cancer recurrence, but research commends a selection of life-style, hereditary and environmental components are at play. It could be not possible to fully forestall cancer of the bowel, but the North American Cancer Society announces that catching colon cancer symptoms early through screening tests is the key. Regular colon cancer screening should begin at age fifty for the majority, unless they are in a serious risk class.

Every year, people should get a fecal occult blood test, which is done by sending a stool sample. A stool DNA test might also be done at that very same time, since it also uses a stool sample to collect results. Then, each 5 years, patients should get a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which involves a long, flexible tube that checks the last few feet of the gut for colon polyps, and a double-contrast barium enema that uses an xray and dye to test the higher portion of the bowel.

A virtual colonoscopy employing a CT scan machine also should be done each five years. A colonoscopy process involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube, light and camera to view the whole colon and should then be done each ten years, or each 5 years if any irregularities have been found during the other screenings. Ultimately , life changes are a crucial way to stop colon cancer. It doesn’t need to be said that smoking, indolence and exorbitant alcohol consumption are contributors to many varieties of adversary health conditions.

Cancer of the colon prevention involves eating the proper foods, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, onions, potatoes, broccoli, artichokes, celery, beans, peas, multi grain products, berries, cantaloupes, mangoes, persimmons and dried apricots, for example. Limit the quantity of red beef ( meat, pork, lamb ) and processed meats ( hot dogs, luncheon meats ), cooking meats at extremely high temperatures ( frying, sauting and barbecuing ) and saturated fats.

Learn more about Colon Cancer Early Symptoms. Stop by Author Willie DeJarnette’s site where you can find out all about Colon Cancer Early Symptoms and what it can do for you.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/colon-cancer-prevention-methods-1657058.html

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The colon is part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The first 6 feet of the large intestine are called the large bowel or colon. The last 6 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body).

Being age 50 or older is actually the number one risk factor for colon cancer. But other things impact colon cancer development, too. For example, studies indicate that all of these factors can contribute to colon cancer: alcohol, smoking, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity.

A diet high in animal fat and low in dietary fiber, which is the typical American diet today, has been linked to colon cancer. A review of the relationships between diet, exercise, and colon cancer suggests that diets high in vegetables and regular physical activity are the most significant factors in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Strong evidence shows that physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer by up to 50 percent. Some scientists hypothesize that fiber (from vegetables) might bind to potential carcinogens and cause them to be excreted before they can cause harm; other suggest that, in enhancing the movement of material through the GI tract, exercise or high-fiber diet reduces the time that carcinogens have to come in contact with colon cells. Other scientists suggest that high levels help protect the GI tract and delay the development of stomach, colon, and rectal cancer. Alternatively, the breakdown products of fiber produced by colonic bacteria, including acids that lower colon pH, might make carcinogens inactive.

Although these logical reasons point to a beneficial effect of fiber, a major study of women fails to support the protective effect of dietary fiber against colorectal cancer. However, a recent study of 400,000 men and women across nine European countries shows as much as a 40 percent reduction in risk.

About the Author:Colon Cancer Center
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Relationships Between Diet And Colon Cancer

By the time you read this article you might already know what is colon cancer. Colon cancer is cancer in the inner lining of the colon, or the part of the large intestine that serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, or stool, move through it to leave the body. Bowel detoxification with liquid clay and ground fax seeds are particularly helpful for improving body conditions and preventing the growth of colon polyps and tumors because the clay absorbs toxins while the seeds expand in water and brush the intestine clean. Also bowel detoxification with ground dandelion leaves and apple juice help the liver and intestine to cleanse toxins rapidly.

Chemicals found in charred or charred-boiled meats and cigarettes are 2 major factors causing the growth of colon polyps and tumors.

Here are some natural remedies that may help prevent colon cancer:

1. Fatty acids of cold water fishes such as salmon and tuna

Cold water contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids that reduces levels of prosta-glandins and chemicals that promote cancer growth.

2. Fiber

A diet rich in fiber foods, such as broccoli, whole grain products, and fruits decrease cancer risk by 30 percent.

3. Calcium

Calcium rich foods such as low fat dairy products and orange juice help to lowering the risk of the formation of polyps inside the colon.

4. Folate

Folate rich foods such as leaf green vegetables reduce the risk of colon cancer as well as decreasing the risk of DNA damage in the body.

5. Aspirin

A small dose daily will reduce colon malignancies by inhibiting cancer-fighting prostaglandins.

If you need more information, please visit: rel="nofollow" href="http://colon-cancer-prevention.blogspot.com/" target="_new"> rel="nofollow" href="http://colon-cancer-prevention.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://colon-cancer-prevention.blogspot.com/

About the Author:Kyle J. Norton
rel="nofollow" href="http://healthylivingover100yearolds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://healthylivingover100yearolds.blogspot.com/
I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Prevent Colon Cancer With Natural Remedies

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

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

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