The colon, more commonly known as the large intestine, is where the body draws out water and salt from solid wastes. The waste then goes through the rectum and is secreted out.
Colon cancer is a malignant tumour that arises from the inner wall of the colon. It can happen at any age but affects older adults more often than younger ones. It usually begins as small, benign clumps of cells called Polyps inside the colon.
Causes of Colon Cancer
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Inactive lifestyle
- Excessive consumption of processed meat and saturated fats
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Prior history of bowel diseases
- Genetic syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal discomfort
- Persistent cramps and pain
- Weakness
- Persistent change in your bowel habits (Diarrhoea or constipation)
- Unexplained weight loss
Prevention of Colon Cancer
It’s important to understand what to do and what not to do to reduce the risk.
- Consume plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Limit the consumption of red meat and saturated fats.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking
Diagnosis of Colon Cancer
- Colonoscopy – This method uses a long, flexible tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view the colon and rectum
- Blood tests – Doctors test the blood to check the overall health, such as kidney and liver functions. They also look for a chemical that’s sometimes produced by colon cancer
- CT Scans
Treatment of Colon Cancer
- Surgery –Surgeons can perform various types of surgeries for colon cancer based on factors such as the cancer stage, its location, and other complications.
- Chemotherapy – It uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. This therapy is usually done after the surgery has been performed or if cancer has spread to lymph nodes. It may kill any cells that remain in the body after the surgery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Radiation Therapy – This therapy uses high-power beams to destroy the cancer cells. It can also shrink larger cancer tumors before surgery to facilitate easier removal. Additionally, it can be combined with chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy – It is a drug treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Sometimes, the immune system fails to recognize the cancer cells and might not attack them. Immunotherapy interferes with this situation and makes the immune system fight the cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy – This treatment targets specific abnormalities using drugs specifically designed for molecules that promote the growth of cancer cells.