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Summary: Colon Cancer: Don't Miss the Symptoms The colon is divided into four sections: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. Most colorectal cancers arise in the sigmoid colon -- the portion just above the rectum. Cancer can, however, develop in any portion of the colon. What is Colon Cancer? Colon and rectal cancers are the second most prevalent type after lung cancer among men, and the third most prevalent after breast cancer and lung cancer in women. Malignant tumors in the colon can eventually penetrate through the colon and spread to other parts of the body, crowding and destroying normal cells. Although colon cancer occurs mostly in mature individuals, it can also occur in younger men and women as well. Diet also appears to be a factor in the development of colon cancer. Warning Symptoms of Colon Cancer: There are symptoms or warning symptoms that should raise the suspicion that one has cancer. These include: Obstruction As the colon cancer grows, particularly if it is located in the transverse colon or in the descending and sigmoid colons, it may cause obstruction, leading to a build-up of pressure. Wasting Syndrome In some cases, colon cancer can cause a loss of appetite, weight, and strength. While the above warning signs can occur even in individuals without colon cancer, if someone does exhibit these symptoms, appropriate diagnostic procedures should be recommended in order to rule out colon cancer. Colon cancer generally grows slowly over a period of years. Once the cancer breaks through the colon, it can enter blood or the lymphatic systems grow and spread very rapidly. The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for colon cancer in individuals without any symptoms commence at age 50. Facts - Colon Cancer Is the second leading of death from cancer in the U.S. Over 50% of all new cases of colon cancer involve metastasis by the time of diagnosis Approximately 102,900 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year. Approximately 48,100 Americans will die from colon cancer this year. 80 to 90 million Americans are at risk of developing colon cancer If colon cancer is detected and treated early, the survival rate is high. Screening The American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology recommend that screening for colon cancer in individuals without any symptoms commence at age 50. Medical Malpractice and Colon Cancer The incidence of medical malpractice related to the diagnosis of colon cancer is alarming. The following are among the more common forms of negligence or medical malpractice by physicians in diagnosing and/or treating colon cancer: Failing to perform a routine digital rectal examination (DRE); Failing to identify a cancerous mass in the rectum or lower colon during a routine digital rectal examination; Failing to perform a screening sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy; Failure to order appropriate diagnostic examinations (such as a colonoscopy) to test for colon cancer when a patient exhibits symptoms that can be caused by colon cancer; Misinterpreting the biopsy results; Failing to react to biopsy findings; Failing to recommend appropriate treatment options; and Failing to follow-up with the patient. Summary: Tips to Help Reduce Colon Pain Colon pain is typically experienced in advanced colon cancer stages in the course of disease and treatment. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), you can often times find relief for the pain. Those centers provide a wide variety of complementary and supportive therapies, including pain management techniques, to help diminish pain related to colon cancer and its treatment. Colon pain, especially when unrelieved, can seriously lower your quality of life. The people at CTCA will work to help you manage pain through a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Colon pain is either chronic or acute. The severity of colon pain depends on many factors. First of all, doctors must pin-point the cause for that pain. It's different for every cancer patient, depending on the person's age, personality, pain threshold. Colon cancer is related to insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue; those effects can heighten the level of pain even further. To manage colon pain, a serious plan must be established, and it must be based on several factors such as - pain location, intensity, factors that make it better or worse, effects puff pain, therapy effects. At CTCA, you will be given a complete pain management plan designed to not only pain relief, but to restore and/or maintain your normal quality of life. All methods of pain management offered as part of your colon cancer treatment will attempt to either control the cause of the pain directly, or alter your perception of it. The successful colon pain management typically involves a combination of different pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. You may copy / distribute / edit but keep this link below live: Article 1: COLON CANCER: DON'T MISS THE SYMPTOMS Article 2: TIPS TO HELP REDUCE COLON PAIN Category : COLON RECTAL CANCER Source : CANCER.TIPSTIMES.COM Licensed : CREATIVE COMMONS SHARE ALIKE 3.0
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