Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know

Did you know that colon cancer ranks very high on the list of cancer deaths in the United States? For non-smokers it is the leading cause of cancer death. Statistics say over 50,000 people will die from colon cancer this year. The good news is that with early diagnosis and screening, many forms of colon cancer are preventable. Take the time for annual screenings to keep yourself healthy and prolong your life.

Cancer of the colon has no prejudices. It affects people of all sexes and races. Age is the biggest risk factor for colon cancer.

Even if a person shows no symptoms of colon cancer that doesn't mean the coast is clear. Most people who are diagnosed with colon cancer have no symptoms. Other patients will have changes in their stools, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and weight loss that can't be explained. These are all indicators of colon cancer. Usually when these symptoms appear, it means the disease is more advanced.

To screen for colon cancer, a colonoscopy is performed. This is a procedure where your physician will use a device to view the inside of your colon. Before this, your colon will be cleansed with the help of medications and laxatives.

You will be sedated for the procedure to minimize pain and any discomfort. To complete the procedure takes between 15 and 30 minutes. Afterwards, you are able to return to your normal routines.

Men and women over the age of 50 are encouraged to have colonoscopy screenings if other risk factors are not existent. If you are younger than 50 and have risk factors, you should consult with your physician about an earlier screening.

There are other methods for screening for colon cancer such as double contrast barium enemas, fecal occult blood tests, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Colonoscopy is the preferred method though because it picks up more malignancies, can be used for screening and diagnosis, and can also take out polyps in one fell swoop.

Worried about a polyp being cancerous? If left alone, this unnecessary growth has the potential of turning cancerous but with a colonoscopy, it can be removed. Not all polyps are malignant.

A colonoscopy is a very effective screening and treatment tool in the fight against colon cancer. If your physician finds a polyp, it can be removed while you are still sedated. If more growths or malignancies are found, your physician will devise and discuss a treatment plan with you.

If you are diagnosed early with colon cancer, you have a very high survival rate percentage. Don't put off colonscopies. Once the cancer has spread to other organs your chances for survival drop substantially. Still, medical research and treatments are changing and hope is on the horizon.

If your situation calls for surgery, the least of your worries should be cosmetic. Surgery will only leave a small scar. And colostomy bag use has almost been eliminated, as surgeries are able to remove a large majority of these cancers while not involving the rectum.