Cancer is a scary word. After all, we have all grown up seeing the effect of cancer on people around us and have heard stories, read books and seen movies centered on
how cancer ravages a person. And on top of all that, what could be scarier than cancer of the colon?
But be at ease for we live in wondrous times and our understanding of this disease is astounding. Even more wondrous is that our ability to detect, manage and
survive this cancer is better today than ever before. For example, while the mortality rate from colon cancer in Sweden climbed steadily from the 1930's through the
end of the 1970s' to around 21 deaths per 100,000 people, it has declined some 20% since then.1
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, which is the lower part of the digestive system. The last six inches of the digestive tract is the rectum; cancer in
this area is rectal cancer. Together, the two forms are referred to as colorectal cancer.2 According to the National Cancer Institute, some 150 thousand people will
be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008.3 Most cases of colorectal cancers begin as small clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, these polyps can grow into
cancerous cells.4
Early warning symptoms of colon cancer are generally classified as changes in ones bowel habits. This can include ongoing diarrhea or constipation, blood in your
stool, having gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated or that you cannot empty your bowel completely. Since colon cancer symptoms like these are very
general, if you feel you have any of these symptoms, the best course of action is to see your doctor. Even better than that, make sure you maintain a healthy
lifestyle and get regular cancer screenings starting at age 50 (earlier if you have family history of cancers).5,6
Should you find that you have developed colon cancer, then you will need treatment. The typical forms of treatment depend upon the location of the cancer and its
stage of development. The forms of treatment for colon cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy and radiation therapy. Plus, cancer treatment can be
local therapy, focused on the site where the cancer has formed, or it can be systematic therapy where the entire body is treated. Surgery, the most common form of
treatment, and radiation therapy are local therapies, where as biological therapy (the use of monoclonal antibodies that bind to colon cancer cells and disrupt cell
growth) and chemotherapy are systematic treatment forms.7
How successful a treatment therapy will be depends upon many factors including the stage of the cancer, general physical health, genetic makeup, plus others. There
is a wealth of information from sources such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and the Mayo Clinic to help cancer patients and their
families understand the factors can effect cancer, cancer treatment and life after cancer.
1 "Cancer Trends During the 20th Century" by rjan Hallberg,a M.Sc. e.e., consultant and
Olle Johansson,a Assoc. Professor; Journal of Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine Vol. 21 No. 1; April 2002: pages 3-8
2 "Colon Cancer", MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS000 35)
3 "Colon and Rectal Cancer", Cancer.gov (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and- rectal)
4 "Colon Cancer", MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS000 35)
5 "What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum", Cancer.gov(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ colon-and-rectal/page6)
6 "Overview of Colon Cancer Symptoms" About.com (http://coloncancer.about.com/od/cancerprevention/a/ Cancer_Symptoms.htm)
7 "What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum", Cancer.gov (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/colon-and- rectal/page9#A5)