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Colon cancer which is also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is a cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer may affect any ethnic group. Most of the colon cancer early symptoms may go unnoticed as they do not cause severe discomfort or might be considered as other ailments. Narrow stools, for a prolonged period of time, are an indication of some sort of growth in the colon or rectum.

Colon Cancer Image

The narrowing results as the waste material tries to navigate through the tumor. Another colon cancer early symptom is nausea and vomiting without any reason. In fact, obstruction caused by tumor can trigger periodic episodes of nausea and vomiting. Flatulence and other disorders caused by gas can be due to the obstruction created by the cancerous growth. A tumor in the rectum causes a feeling of unfinished defecation. Persistent occurrence of such a feeling indicates the presence of a tumor which is mistaken by the body as stool. Colon cancer’s exact cause is unknown, but it appears to be influenced by both inherited and environmental factors. Continue Reading »

What is cancer? 

According to natural process of our body system cells of our body grow and die in a predictable manner. This cycle of growing of cells, dyeing of cells and their replacement by new cells continue. But if something goes wrong too many cells may grow in a uncontrolled manner. Due to any disorder of cell growth cells divide at an excessive rate faster than healthy body cells and behave abnormally. These abnormal cells which invade and damage surrounding healthy tissues are cancer cells and the disease is known as cancer. Cancer cells may spread to different parts of the body via blood stream or lymphatic system. 

There are various types of cancer:-

 (i) Kidney Cancer

(ii) Liver Cancer

(iii) Lung Cancer

(iv) Leukemia

(v) Brain Cancer

(vi) Skin Cancer

(vii) Ovarian Cancer

(viii) Breast Cancer

(ix) Gal bladder Cancer

(x) Stomach Cancer

(xi) Pancreatic Cancer

(xii) Thyroid Cancer

(xiii) Throat cancer

(xiv) Colon Cancer, etc.

Symptoms of all types of cancer are not the same and depend upon the types and locations of cancer. As for example: – Diarrhea or Constipation pain in abdomen, coming of blood with stool may be the symptoms of colon cancer.

Shortness of breath, pain in chest, coughing may be symptoms of lung cancer.

Sweat at night, pain in bones, weight loss and weakness, bleeding in gums, excessive or easy bruising etc. may be symptoms of blood cancer.

Diagnoses and treatment

Based on symptoms cancer is suspected and physical examination is done. Some types of imaging studies and tests are done as for example:-

(i) X-ray

(ii) Ultra sonography

(iii) CT Scan

(iv) Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI)

(v) Blood tests and complete blood counts

(vi) Biopsy

According to types and locations of cancer, different tests are done. As for example if a person is suffering from cough, chest pain and loosing weight then X-ray of chest might be done by a doctor.

Bone narrow biopsy might be done for leukemia.

Treatment 

Surgery is done for removing malignant tumor. When surgery is unable to remove all of the cancer then the option for treatment is radiation or chemotherapy. Sometimes both radiation and chemotherapy are required for treatment of cancer.

In some cancers a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is required.

Causes and prevention

Causes of cancer: - 

      (i) Certain type of viruses

      (ii) Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight etc.)

      (iii) Tobacco Smoking

      (iv) Environmental Pollution

      (v) Too much consumption of alcohol

      (vi) Benzene.

Prevention 

Vegetarians have lesser risk of acquiring various types of cancers like stomach cancer, bladder cancer, blood cancer etc. than meat eaters.

Controlling diet and adopting proper life style risk of having some types of cancer can be reduced.

Try to avoid red meat and processed meat. Eat vegetables, fish etc. Avoid smoking. Reduce alcohol consumption.
Author: S.N.Bhattacharya