Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women worldwide. It refers to abnormal growth in the colon and rectum, which is part of the digestive tract.
If diagnosed early, cancer can be treated well with high cure rates. However, due to the overlap of symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders, the diagnosis is usually made later, making it more deadly.
Some important facts :
1. In 2018, more than 1.8 million new cases of colorectal cancer were observed in both sexes of all ages.
2. According to the World Health Organization, colon cancer accounted for over 9.2% of all cancer deaths in 2018
3. The death rate from colon cancer is higher in men than women.
Here is everything you need to know to keep yourself from falling victim to this victim
What is colon cancer?
It is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum divide uncontrollably and produce a tumor.
What is metastatic colon cancer?
Metastatic colon cancer indicates that cancer has spread from the colon area to other parts of the body.
How many people have this disease?
Although around 55% of global cancer cases occur in developed countries, 52% of these deaths occur in less developed countries.
Around 49,500 deaths from colon cancer occur in India every year!
What are the first signs of colon cancer?
It can start as a polyp (but not all polyps turn into cancer). Adenomatous polyps are precancerous, while hyperplastic polyps do not usually turn into cancer.
What are the risk factors?
You are at high risk if you have ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, polyps in the colon and / or hereditary colon cancer syndrome. Lifestyle factors like a high-fat diet, too much red meat consumption, a low-fiber diet, extreme obesity, and an inactive lifestyle can make you a high-risk person.
What are the screening tests?
There are three screening tests used to determine this medical condition: stool occult blood test (FOBT), digital rectal exam, and sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
What are the treatment options?
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the treatment options for colon cancer. In addition to traditional treatment modalities, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have shown great potential as cancer therapeutics.
Are there genetic biomarker tests?
Knowing your biomarker status is vital in colorectal cancer. ‘RAS’ is a biomarker that will help your oncologist decide treatment for metastatic colon cancer.
How can you prevent colon cancer?
The general risk of colon cancer can be reduced by being very active, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, restricting fast food, fried foods, and junk. Regular exercise and weight control are extremely important. Limiting alcohol consumption also plays an essential role in preventing this condition.
The most important thing about colon cancer is to detect it early before it spreads. Prevention and early detection are key to increasing survival rates. Get screened for colon cancer regardless of age, because prevention is always better than cure.