Colon Cancer

 Colon Cancer Prevalence, Causes, Symptoms

Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine, or colon, which is about 4-5 feet long and rests near the end of the digestive system.

Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum, which comprises, approximately, the final six inches of the colon. Cancers that occur in this area of the body are generally described as colorectal cancers.

Colon cancer prevalence According to the American Cancer Society, more than one hundred thousand people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year in the United States alone, and about half that number of rectal cancer cases are reported.

Colorectal cancer is the second cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Currently, approximately 50,000 individuals die of colon cancer in the United States annually.

Colon cancer causes Colon cancer usually begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells that are known as polyps. These polyps can eventually become colon cancer. Polyps often resemble mushrooms, but they can also be flat or recessed into the wall of the colon. These types are called nonpolypoid lesions, and they're less common but more difficult to detect.

A colon polyp or sigmoid colon polyp (pictured at right) forms when cells in the colon begin to divide abnormally. The body continues to produce new cells even though they're not needed, and the polyps form from the excess number of cells. Over a period of time, these cells become cancer cells.

Once cancer begins, it invades the muscular wall of the colon and may eventually, in later stages of the disease, even penetrate the colon walls and spread to other organs.

Colon cancer symptoms Polyps produce few, if any, symptoms, so regular screening is important. When the polyps become cancerous, symptoms begin to appear, usually characterized by:

• Persistent abdomen pain, such as cramps, gas or pain
• Abdominal pain with a bowel movement
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Colon cancer bowel movements A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks may be one symptom of colon cancer. A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely may be another.

Blood in your stool may be a sign of cancer, but it may also come from hemorrhoids, for example. Certain foods may also cause stools to look bloody, even though the red color isn't really coming from blood. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to checked promptly by your doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious.

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Colorectal cancer occurs more often in older people, but it can strike younger people too. Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer.

Doctors generally agree regular tests for detecting symptoms of colon cancer should start around age 50, but it may be smart to start sooner if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease. 

Click on American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer to go to Amazon.com's product information page for this book.