Wombtomb

Colon cancer has five stages, and there are different treatment options for each level.  The first stage, known as Stage 0, involves only the lining of the colon, which is also referred to as mucosa.  At this stage, polyps, or benign tumors, can be removed when a colonoscopy takes place. Once they are removed, the chance of them recurring does not exist.

Stage I is present when the cancer spreads past the lining to the walls of the colon or rectum.  The polyp that has not been treated becomes a tumor, and reaches the wall of the colon or rectum.  Treatment options can include a surgical procedure to remove the cancerous part of the colon. 

When the cancer reaches tissue that surrounds the colon, but does not reach the lymph nodes, there is a Stage II colon Continue Reading

Early detection of cancer can mean the difference in continuing a successful life, or dying in misery, at an early age, but how can you detect it?

Weight loss is one clue, for many. Moles that begin to grow or change color should be checked, immediately. Melanoma can be deadly and swift.

Organ failure can indicate cancer. Breast cancer is a fear of many women, but men can have it, also. Lumps in the breast can indicate cancerous growths, but aren’t always cancer, so get them checked, when you find them after your weekly, or monthly self-exam.

Irritable bowels may indicate colon cancer, or something much less benign, so get a check-up. An annual check-up is recommended to everyone, especially anyone with a family history of cancer of any kind. Continue Reading

According to the American Cancer Society about 112,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year. It is one of the most highly curable cancers if caught early; however, patients often ignore symptoms until the disease is highly advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized).

CAUSES

*A personal or family history of colon polyps. Most colon polyps are benign and may form anywhere along the wall of the large intestine. However, most all colon cancers originate as polyps. Generally polyps are surgically removed upon inspection during a diagnostic colonoscopy. There are three types of colon polyps: adenomas (which have the potential to become cancerous); hyperplastic which rarely become cancerous and inflammatory polyps which are usually caused by a Continue Reading

There are several screening options for colon cancer. Every one of these tests has it’ s advantages and disadvantages.

There is little data on when to start screening for colon cancer or when to stop. Each of these tests for colon cancer usually give better results at different ages. For example, the FOBT colon cancer screening test is more effective for people that are between fifty and eighty years old. On the other hand, sigmoidoscopy, another colon cancer screening test has been proven more effective if started at the age of forty five. However, there are also some studies that indicate that if you start screening for colon cancer at the age of forty and not at fifty, your life expectancy will only increase by one day. So, there are many debates on what is the right Continue Reading

The word cancer always brings worries to anyone who hears it. In most cases, people never realize they have cancer, not until the feel some kind of pain and have it checked out, only to find out that they already have it. Especially nowadays, with the kind lifestyle that is being imposed upon us, news and studies tell us that we can get it from the foods we eat, the air we breathe and virtually almost anywhere.

We cannot know when or why colon cancer might strike us, but we can certainly take specific measures to significantly lessen the chances of getting colon cancer. But first, we have to arm ourselves with information. What is colon cancer? How would you know if you have it?

Have you had, or do you know of any one who might be experiencing change in their bowel Continue Reading