Detecting Colon Cancer In Its Early Stages Can Save Your Life

Colon cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, up to 73% of colorectal cancer can be cured right up to stage III. Despite this fact, it is responsible for roughly 655,000 deaths per year worldwide. That is why detecting colon cancer in its early stages can save your life. Many times, people tend to ignore common colon cancer symptoms and see them as being normal, or simply confuse them with symptoms of other diseases. This article briefly presents every aspect of colon cancer, the development of the disease and treatment for it.

Common Symptoms

The main reason for which detecting colon cancer in its early stages can save your life is because knowing what to look for, in the case of such a rapidly developing disease, is crucial. Many symptoms of colon cancer are similar to those of other less serious maladies. The fatigue, shortness of breath, change in bowel habits (such as narrow stools or diarrhea), weight loss, bloating and abdominal pain could be the result of ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or any other gastrointestinal illness.

One of the most obvious symptoms in colon cancer is blood in the stool, either dark or bright red. The persistence of any combination of these symptoms for more than a few weeks should be a cause for concern, and a trip to the doctor is in order. Early detection is the key to the best prognosis, which is why detecting colon cancer in its early stages can save your life. However, regular colon cleansing is a healthy preventive measure that is highly recommended.

Risk Factors

Many risk factors for colon cancer are the same as for other diseases and conditions. Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are all considered risk factors for colon cancer. In addition to these “common sense” risks, there are also some risk factors that are either not so easy, or even impossible to control. One of these is age. Most cases of colon cancer occur in a person’s 60’s and 70’s. A family history of colon cancer also indicates and increases the risk of contracting this disease. Polyps of the colon are also noted as a precursor of colon cancer, and any polyps discovered during a routine colonoscopy should be removed to prevent further development.

Colon Cancer Treatment

The most common treatment for this type of cancer is surgical removal of the cancerous tissue and adjacent lymph nodes. In its early stages, it may be possible to completely eliminate the cancer surgically without having to resort to chemotherapy. Introducing chemotherapy adds another layer of complexity to treatment and increases the risk of further damage. So that is yet another reason why detecting colon cancer in its early stages can save your life. If the cancer has deeply invaded the intestinal wall or has spread to other organs, then chemotherapy may have to be used to contain the spread of the disease.

Prognosis

The chances for successful treatment of colon cancer when detected early are extremely good. Five year survival rates for cancers detected in the early (stage I or II) stages are up to 5 times that of those cancers detected at a later stage (stages III or IV). The risk of complications with this type of surgery is typically low, but depending on a patient’s health condition, it may vary. Your doctor can fully explain the procedure, but remember that detecting colon cancer in its early stages can save your life.