Colon Cancer Myths

It is extremely important for everyone to be aware of the dangers of colon cancer. Contrary to popular opinion that colon cancer only strikes men, colon cancer has been found to affect both men and women, causing severe discomfort and death. Unfortunately, colon cancer myths have added to the already devastating effects of colon cancer in the world today.

Colon Cancer Defined

The colon itself is the part of the large intestine with no digestive functions, but rather absorbs a large amount of water and electrolytes. It basically has four sections. Cancer refers to any abnormal and uncontrollable cell division (growth) in the body which invades and destroys neighboring body tissues. Normally it spreads through the blood or lymphatic system. Cancer of the colon, therefore, refers to any abnormal cell division and growth on any part of the colon.

Colon Cancer Myths Related to the Age of Patients

Some people have succeeded in spreading the false notion that colon cancer only occurs in the aged, and therefore discredits screening in young people. The truth is that people with history of smoking, obesity, or inflammatory diseases stand a higher risk of having colon cancer early, perhaps before 50 years of age. From research, it is advisable for everyone to be screened for colon cancer starting from 50 years of age

Colon Cancer Myths Related to its Symptoms

Many people erroneously believe that colon cancer always exhibits a particular symptom or sign. This is very false. In fact, most of the time, colon cancer does not give any form of symptom. When changes in stool, decrease in weight or severe pain begin to occur, the cancer has actually advanced into a more risky stage. In addition, people wrongly believe treatment of colon cancer by colonoscopy is very painful. Colonoscopy takes less than 30 minutes to perform while the patient is completely sedated. Thus, you would not even feel anything during the procedure.

Colon Cancer Myths Related to its Treatments

Firstly, colon cancer is not always fatal, as is often believed. Recent findings show that colon cancer is totally curable 95% of the time, if detected early enough. In addition, it is entirely wrong to believe that colonoscopy is the only screening process available for colon cancer. Other tests like sigmoidoscopy or barium enema are available. However, colonoscopy is regarded as the best among them.

Other Colon Cancer Illusions Related to Surgical procedures

It is extremely wrong to assume that colon cancer surgery would always cause a need for colostomy bag. This may be true many years back but today, through laparoscopic surgery, there is minimal invasion of body tissues during surgical procedures. In addition, it is falsely assumed that colonoscopy will require another surgical procedure afterwards. Rather, the colonoscope has the capacity of removing polyps which may form the beginning stages of colon cancers.

On a final note, colon cancer can be completely avoided if detected early in its development and removed. The best method of detecting colon cancer is colonoscopy. Colon cleansing also helps in the prevention of colon cancer—this is no myth!