History of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a prevalent disease that plagues people from all over the world. Of all cancer related deaths in the West, it ranks third, putting it in the list of the most fatal diseases known today. But while colon cancer is a serious disease, early detection has helped save thousands of lives every year. In fact, the incidences of colon cancer deaths have been significantly reduced in the latter part of the 20th century by about 19%. This article will provide readers information about the history colon cancer has, as written down in publications and journals of doctors, in both past and present times.

The Discovery of Colon Cancer

It is not exactly clear when colon cancer was discovered. The term “cancer” is a term derived from ‘carcinos’ and ‘carcinoma,’ words coined by no less than the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates. The history colon cancer has is evidenced in journals and books that date back thousands of years, but the disease was only named early in the 19th century. The discovery of colon cancer became clearer when doctors started to conduct autopsies to determine the cause of deaths of ill patients. In 1913, Aldred Scott Warthin, an American pathologist, was the first person to identify the link of colon cancer to heredity, which is now known as the Lynch Syndrome I and II.

Early Medicines to Treat Colon Cancer

Even during ancient times, there have been evidences that led the medical world to conclude that people back then were already well aware of the dangers of colon cancer. Preventive measures were taken to help lower the risk of developing this disease. The history colon cancer researchers have found shows that people as early as 6,000 years ago already made it a point to cleanse their colon in their aim to prevent the disease. The Chinese used herbs for treatment and prevention; the Greeks used olive oil as a colon cleanser; and the Indians used Ayurvedic medicine such as mustard and garlic to treat colon cancer symptoms.

Developments in Colon Cancer Research over the Years

Over the years, medical science has taken a firm resolve to understand the history colon cancer has created, with many of today’s breakthroughs attributed to early discoveries. In 1932, Cuthbert Dukes an English pathologist created the Dukes Classification System, which described the various stages of colon cancer. In more recent years, there have been several screening methods developed that have reduced mortality rates, including the use of digital rectal exam (DRE), fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and endoscopy. These tests have significantly helped detect colon cancer before it reaches the late stages, thereby paving the way for more successful treatments.

Colon cancer treatments are still a work in progress. But without doubt, there have been very significant improvements on how this disease is being dealt with in the past and in the present. The history colon cancer has over the years can attest to this, and hopefully, in the near future, there will be better, and more effective ways for the prevention and cure of this disease.