Colon cancer By: Brittany Mares

Colon Cancer definition Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. While the cause of colon cancer is still unknown, so is the cure. Colon cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, second in rank to lung cancer, which has claimed the most victims in recent years.

Family History I am interested in learning about Colon Cancer because colon cancer is in my family tree. On my mom’s side my great grandpa and great grandma have died from Colon Cancer. So there is a good chance that it could be in my mom’s or my genes. Also Colon Cancer is a very scary cancer because there is no treatment for it.

Cause(s) of colon cancer In most cases, it's not clear what causes colon cancer. Doctors know that colon cancer occurs when healthy cells in the colon become altered. ^ meaning that healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But when a cell is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide – even when cells aren’t needed. Colon cancer most often begins as clumps of precancerous cells (polyps) on the inside lining of the colon. Polyps can appear mushroom-shaped, or they can be flat or recessed into the wall of the colon.

Population / age groups affected Older age. The great majority of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently. African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races. Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, which is also known as Lynch syndrome. Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat

Population/age groups affected continued Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol may increase your risk of colon cancer Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight. Family history of colon cancer and colon polyps. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater. In some cases, this connection may not be hereditary or genetic. Instead, cancers within the same family may result from shared exposure to an environmental carcinogen or from diet or lifestyle factors. A sedentary lifestyle. If you're inactive, you're more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer

Impact of Colon Cancer Colon cancer can cause a person to feel tired or weak, lose weight, and have general discomfort in their digestive system and bowel movements. In the later stages of colon cancer, the cancer can spread beyond the rectum into other parts of the body. In stage III colon cancer, the lymph nodes that reside nearby are infected. In the final stage of colon cancer, stage IV, the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver or lungs. Early Stages: In the beginning stages of colon cancer, mild symptoms may occur, such as unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, bowel changes and anemia Late Stages: Colon cancer that has progressed to the latter stages of the disease can affect other parts of the body. Cancerous cells can begin to penetrate nearby tissue and spread to other organs, the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. Once this occurs, the cells can begin to produce polyps or tumors in other parts of the body.

Test and Diagnosis Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon. Colonoscopy uses a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view your entire colon and rectum. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor can pass surgical tools through the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis Using multiple CT images to create a picture of your colon. CT colonography, also called virtual colonoscopy, combines multiple CT scan images to create a detailed picture of the inside of your colon. If you're unable to undergo colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend virtual colonoscopy Staging tests may include imaging procedures such as abdominal and chest CT scans. In many cases, the stage of your cancer may not be determined until after colon cancer surgery

Treatments and Medicines Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy for colon cancer is usually given after surgery if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. In this way, chemotherapy may help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Radiation therapy is rarely used in early-stage colon cancer, but is a routine part of treating rectal cancer, especially if the cancer has penetrated through the wall of the rectum or traveled to nearby lymph nodes. Radiation therapy, usually combined with chemotherapy, may be used after surgery to reduce the risk that the cancer may recur in the area of the rectum where it began. Drugs that target specific defects that allow cancer cells to grow are available to people with advanced colon cancer, including bevacizumab (Avastin), cetuximab (Erbitux), panitumumab (Vectibix) and regorafenib (Stivarga).

Health Professionals Our team of cancer experts includes physicians who specialize in treating cancer, including advanced stage and complex diagnoses; doctors who treat complications caused by cancer; and many other clinicians who support you and your quality of life throughout treatment.

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