How To Prevent Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

There are a number of things you can do to prevent colorectal cancer as described below.

What is the Colon ?

The colon is the end portion of our digestive system.  It is where foods that are not digested by the small intestine are stored for several hours up to a few days.  Also, most of the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and water take place in the colon.  The bulks of food that are no longer in use and toxins that are present from the food, are then eliminated from the body in the form of the feces.

What is a Colon Cancer ? 

Colon cancer can simply be defined as the cancer of the colon or the large intestine. Most cases of this illness start as a small and benign clumps of cells in the colon, which is known as adenomatous polyps.  As time goes by, these polyps multiply rapidly and develop into colon cancers.

Polyps are hard to detect in an early stage because they produce only a few symptoms. Sometimes, no symptoms are manifested not unless the condition is in its later stages. Once the signs of a cancer appear the individual experiences a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain and cramping, accumulation of gas and presence of blood in the stool.

Why do People Develop Colon Cancer ?

When the healthy cells in the colon are altered, they become at risk for the development of cancer. To keep the body functioning normally, the cells need to grow and divide in an orderly manner.  There are really times when cells grow out of control, even if new cells are not needed by the system.

The most common cause of the development of colon cancer when one has a history of colon cancer and polyps in the family. Other known causes are inflammatory bowel disease, high alcohol intake, diabetes, diet that is high in fats and cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and a diet that is deficient in vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.

What are the Available Colorectal Cancer Treatments ?

The three standard treatment options for colon cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

• Chemotherapy

Most oncologists recommend chemotherapy for colon cancers that are already in stage 2.  For stage 3 and stage 4 colon cancers, chemotherapy is still recommended but should be used in combination with biologic therapy in order to target specific cancer cells. The chemicals being used aids the body to get rid of the cancerous cells and prevent them from rapidly dividing. 

• Radiation Therapy

Individuals who are scheduled for surgery are advised to undergo radiation therapy to shrink the tumor.  After the surgery, another session of a radiation therapy is needed to prevent the tumor from ever coming back.  In some cases, there are tumors that can hardly be removed with surgery, so radiation therapy is used to destroy the cancer cells.

The most common type of radiation therapy that is used for the treatment of colon cancer is the external radiation. These kinds of therapies are quick but should be done frequently to insure that the cancerous cells are destroyed. 

• Surgery

The most common surgery for colon cancer is the colostomy. Colostomy is a surgical procedure wherein the surgeon will create an opening in the abdominal wall, which becomes an alternative exit of wastes products from the colon.

"While colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, it is the most preventable major cancer. Improvements in prevention, early detection, and treatment have greatly reduced the death toll from this disease," said Dr. J. Randolph Hecht, clinical professor of medicine and director, GI Oncology Program, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center.

10 Tips on How to Prevent the Development of a Colon Cancer

1. Visit your doctor at once you are experiencing the symptoms of a colon cancer.

Like any other cancers, colon cancer can still be treated during the early stages. So it is necessary to diagnose the condition at once. Symptoms to watch out for are unexplained weight loss, abdominal cramping, presence of blood in the stool, loss of appetite and thin stools.

2. Schedule a screening for colon cancer.

People who are beyond the age of 50 are more prone to the development of colon cancer. It is advisable to seek screening and checkups in order to diagnose it in its early stage. In cancers, early detection is the best cure.

3. Adopt a healthy and a well-balanced eating habit.

Avoid foods that are high in fat and cholesterol. Instead, choose foods that are high in fiber. Also, avoid foods that have high levels of carcinogen, such as grilled dishes.

4. Maintain a weight that is within the normal range.

Obesity is one of the causes of colon cancer. That is why it is necessary to maintain a healthy weight.  Studies found out that people with extra fats in the waistline are more likely to be at risk for the development of colon cancer compared to those who have fats elsewhere in the body, such as the hips or thighs.

5. Keep an active lifestyle.

Exercise is always an essential part of achieving a healthy lifestyle. It can also aid in reducing other risk factors of colon cancer such as diabetes and obesity.

6. Get to know the history of your family.

If you know that your family has a history of the disease, the tendency is that you will avoid other factors that can cause colon cancer.

7. Seek out genetic counseling.

Since cancer cases are hereditary in nature, it is important to seek genetic counseling to determine if you carry the genetic mutations that are linked to cancer of the colon. This will help you plan for a prevention techniques ahead of time.

8. Avoid smoking cigarettes.

Aside from causing lung cancer, cigarettes can also cause colon cancer.  Tobacco smoke can transport carcinogen to the colon and is said to increase the size of polyps.

9. Avoid exposure to any type of radiations.

Since studies show that people who are exposed to radiation have greater risks for developing colon cancers, so it is just wise to avoid radiation by all means.

10. Talk to your doctor