Causes, Risks, and Factors of Colon Cancer

All kinds of cancer, including colon cancer, can be treated more effectively when detected in the early stages. A person diagnosed with colon cancer may subject himself to chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery so the cancer can be cured.

What is Colon Cancer?

• Colon cancer is a broad cancer, also called colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and rectum or colon and rectal cancer. It is a disease where cancer cells form, grow and develop in the confines of the colon.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Factors associated with colon cancer include genetics (family history of the disease), race (some races may have higher incidence), age (known to affect those who are over 50), increased body weight, diet (more likely to affect those with high fat consumption), sedentary lifestyle and smoking.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

• Unfortunately, symptoms only appear when the disease is at its advanced stage. More common symptoms include fatigue, anemia, abnormal bowel function, weight loss, night sweats, pain in the upper right shoulder and presence of blood in stools.

Evaluation or Diagnosis of Colon Cancer

• Screening tests are done to determine if a person has the disease. A digital rectal examination (DRE), fecal occult blood test (FOBT), colonoscopy (the most accurate testing method), sigmoidoscopy and double-contrast barium enema can be done to determine if the person has colon cancer.

Treatment of Colon Cancer

• The treatment of colon cancer depends on the severity of the disease as well as on the response of the body to the treatment. Some treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.