The History of Colon Cancer

The History of Colon Cancer is a long one.

Colon cancer is defined as cancer of the large intestine and is known to be one of the colorectal cancers (the other is rectal cancer).

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are 112,000 cases diagnosed with colon cancer every year.

Statistics show that 1 in every 17 persons will develop colon cancer at some point in their life.

It is one of the most common forms of cancer in both men and women alike.

If you have a family history of colon cancer, your chances of developing it are greater.

Symptoms

In the very early stages of colon cancer, it is known to be non-symptomatic. However, changes in one’s bowel movements, such as constipation, thin stools, or even blood in the stool, can be warning signs of colon cancer.

Someone with colon cancer may never feel completely “empty” after a bowel movement and experience consistent fatigue.

Unexplained weight loss or gain and sudden anemia are also symptoms that should be taken into consideration when diagnosing colon cancer. Also, remember that people who have been diagnosed with Diabetes have a greater chance of developing colon cancer (about 30 to 40 percent).

Colon Cancer Stages

There are five stages of colon cancer (0-4). The earlier the cancer is found, the higher the survival rate of the patient.

On average, the survival rate of patients in the United States with colon cancer is about 62 percent. However, it does vary depending upon the stage of the cancer’s development.

In order to figure out the facts of where a person is in their diagnosis, a doctor must perform a polypectomy (this is for stages 0 and 1). A polypectomy is the medical term for removing polyps. The survival rate of these patients is around 93 percent.

If a patient has entered stage 2, they will probably be treating their cancer with chemotherapy radiation and surgery. Stage 2 means the cancer has extended through the muscular walls of the colon. The survival rate for these patients is around 78 percent.

Stage 3 means the cancer has advanced outside of the colon and will be treated with chemotherapy with 5-FU and leucovorin. The survival rate is about 64 percent and patients with one to four affected lymph nodes have a better chance of survival than those with five.

Stage 4 is the last and most advanced stage. The cancer has spread outside of the colon. This reduces the chance of survival significantly and is often said to be around 8%.

Take Care of Yourself

Remember to go to your doctor to get colonoscopies annually, especially after 50 years old and if you have a family history of colon cancer.

Early detection of colon cancer saves thousands of lives every year. Working with your doctor and taking care of yourself with a clean diet and exercise can reduce the risk of getting colon cancer

Recommended

I recommend the DrFloras colon cleanser if you want to cleanse your colon safely, effectively, and without spending a fortune.

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