The History of Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer is generally considered any type of cancer occurring in the large intestines. Although the name bowel cancer usually applies to cancer of the colon, it can apply to any cancer occurring in the lower gastrointestinal tract (colon or rectum), and thus also goes by the combined name of colorectal cancer.

History

• Cancer has been evident in human beings as far back as history can be traced. Abnormal growths found on human bones aged over 10,000 years show evidence of bone cancer. In Egypt in 1600 B.C., an Egyptian physician described treating tumors or ulcers of the breast through something he called "the fire drill." Records of bowel cancer by the National Cancer Institute in the United States have been kept since 1975. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. It is also listed as the cancer with the third highest mortality rate. However, studies indicate that in the past 30 years it has declined in the U.S. both in incidence and mortality.

Causes

• In most cases bowel cancer develops slowly over a number of years. Ninety-five percent of occurrences began as a polyp, which is a growth of tissue is mucosal lining of the intestinal wall. Polyps are not necessarily cancerous, but certain types known as adenoma may become cancer. The polyp will grow both outward and downward into the tissue, and the degree of the cancer is determined by the degree of tissue affected. Eighty percent of polyps are caused by indeterminate reasons, however, heredity has been found to influence a person's chance of contracting bowel cancer.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of bowel cancer include: rectal bleeding, blood in stool, prolonged diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping in the lower stomach, and the feeling of or urge to have a bowel movement without the need. A person should consult a physician after experiencing these symptoms for several weeks.

Treatments

• Treatments for bowel cancer vary greatly depending upon the size, degree, affected area and stage of the cancer. Early stages often can be treated completely with surgery. Radiotherapy is rarely used in the colon, but might be used in conjunction with surgery in the rectum. Chemotherapy is rarely used in either case, but might be used to try to prevent spread from any cancerous cells that are missed during surgery. Advanced stages (which means the cancer has spread to other organs) are most likely to be treated through chemotherapy.

Expectations

• If caught early, there is more than a ninety percent survival rate. In advanced stages, bowel cancer is often considered to be incurable. It is very important to catch bowel cancer in early stages, which can be difficult due to the oftentimes slow nature of the cancer's growth.

Prevention

• Studies in recent years suggest that diet and lifestyle can help prevent bowel cancer. Eating less red meat and more vegetables high in fiber can help. Vitamin E, calcium and other antioxidants also are believed to play a part in preventing bowel cancer. The clearest link between prevention and bowel cancer involves the maintenance of a healthy weight.