Colon cancer originates from abnormal cell growth in the colon, which is a crucial part of the large intestine responsible for digesting food. The large intestine serves as the final segment of the digestive system. Typically affecting older adults but capable of occurring at any age, colon cancer often initiates as small clusters of cells known as polyps within the colon. While polyps are usually benign, certain types have the potential to transform into cancerous lesions over time.
Notably, polyps often develop without causing noticeable symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular screening tests for early detection. Identifying and taking out the polyps during these screenings precisely reduces the risk of colon cancer development. It's worth noting that the term "colon cancer" is sometimes used interchangeably with "colorectal cancer," which encompasses both colon cancer and rectal cancer, the latter originating in the rectum, the final segment of the large intestine.
Should colon cancer progress, numerous treatment options are available to manage the condition effectively. These treatments encompass surgical interventions, radiation therapy, and various medications, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Symptoms and causes:
Colon cancer can develop without causing noticeable symptoms. If symptoms do occur, it can be challenging to distinguish them from those of less severe conditions. Common signs of colon cancer include:
- If you observe blood after bowel movements or notice dark or bright red stool, consult a healthcare provider. While blood in stool doesn't always indicate colon cancer and could be due to various factors like hemorrhoids or dietary choices.
- Changes in bowel habits, persistent constipation, diarrhea, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation after using the bathroom.
- If you experience unexplained, continuous, or severe abdominal pain needs medical attention, as it could indicate several other conditions, including colon cancer.
- If bloating prolonged bloating lasting over a week, worsening over time, or accompanied by additional symptoms like vomiting or blood in stool.
- Significant weight loss without intentional efforts to lose weight may be a sign of colon cancer or other medical conditions.
- Frequent vomiting without an apparent cause or excessive vomiting within a short period requires medical evaluation.
- These symptoms, like fatigue and shortness of breath particularly when accompanied by anemia,
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's advisable to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Certain lifestyle choices can increase the risk of developing colon cancer:
- Smoking tobacco, including chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes, heightens the risk of colon cancer.
- Excessive alcohol consumption by men and individuals assigned male at birth should limit alcohol intake to two servings daily, while women and individuals assigned female at birth should limit it to one serving per day. Even light alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of cancer.
- Consuming high-fat, high-calorie foods can lead to obesity, which in turn increases the likelihood of colon cancer.
- Regular consumption of red meat and processed meats like bacon, sausage, and lunchmeat should be limited to two servings per week to reduce the risk of colon cancers.
- Engaging in physical activity of any kind can help lower the risk of developing colon cancer.
Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers within the large intestine. This sort of
screening can find issues that can be treated when the cancer develops or spreads. Regular screenings
may minimise for death and complications caused by colorectal cancer.
Screening tests
There are a few ways to screen for colon cancer at Colon cancer screening center in Hyderabad .
- Stool test: Polyps within the colon and small cancers can lead to small amounts of bleeding that cannot be
seen with the naked eye. But blood can often be found within the stool.
This strategy checks your
stool for blood. The most common test utilized is the fecal occult blood test (gFOBT). Two other tests
are known as fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool DNA test (sDNA).
- Sigmoidoscopy: This test uses a small flexible scope to see the lower portion of your colon.
Since the test only looks at the last one third of the large intestine (colon), it may miss a few
cancers that are higher within the large intestine.
Sigmoidoscopy and a stool test may be used together.
- Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is same as sigmoidoscopy, but the entire colon can be viewed. Your doctor will give
you the steps for cleansing your bowel. This is called bowel preparation.
For more details on Colon Cancer screening in upparpally, consult Dr. Jyosthna Elagandula, one of the leading Haematologist in bandlaguda