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

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

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