In today’s bustling life we seem to take our health for granted. Due to inappropriate routine and food habits all parts of our body are affected badly. For most of us our awareness is only limited to the bigger organs while ignoring the smaller yet vital ones; one of such organs is the colon. This blog covers all the basics about the colon and the related colorectal cancer.
What is colon and colorectal cancer?
Colon is long tube, approximately 5 to 6-foot in length, which connects the small intestine and the rectum. The rectum further connects the colon to the anus from where the faecal matter is excreted out of the body.
Cancer that affects the colon is known as the colon cancer and the one affecting the rectum is called the rectum cancer; however the cancer that affects either or both of these organs is termed as the colorectal cancer or intestinal cancer in common terms.
What causes a colorectal cancer?
This type of cancer generally develops with time due to the precancerous growth of adenomatous colon polyps which is believed to be happened after series of changes in the cellular DNA. However, the exact cause of colorectal cancer is still unknown. Certain risk factors are associated with the disease including:
- Alcohol intake
- Family history
- Imbalanced diet
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Smoking
What are the symptoms of a colorectal cancer?
Symptoms of colon cancer may or may not be remarkable, especially in the early stages, but even certain very common health problems may be a reason of this kind of cancer. Watch for the following Colon cancer symptoms:
- Abdominal cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Blood in the stool
- Changes in stool color
- Changes in stool shape, such as narrowed stool
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Passing excessive gas
- Unexplained weakness
- Unintended weight loss
How is the colorectal cancer diagnosed and treated? If you notice any abnormal activities or symptoms as stated above, immediately make an appointment with a doctor. Doctor can ask to take the following in order to diagnose the disease:
- Blood TestingColonoscopy
- CT Scan
- X-Ray
Treatment Options: Treatment of the colorectal cancer depends upon multiple factors such as patient’s overall health, age, stage of the cancer and so on. Depending upon these factors your doctor may decide on a line of treatment. The treatment may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Medication
- Radiation
- Surgery
At early stages there are quite good chances for a person to recover from the colorectal cancer. Hence it is essential to keep awareness and get a timely treatment.
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