{"id":699,"date":"2022-01-13T13:14:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T13:14:49","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-09-05T23:09:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T15:09:42","slug":"what-is-colon-cancer-and-how-can-it-be-prevented","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-is-colon-cancer-and-how-can-it-be-prevented\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Colon Cancer And How Can It Be Prevented?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sadly, colon cancer doesn\u2019t garner the same attention as breast cancer with the latter\u2019s Pink October campaign. There\u2019s no hype surrounding colon cancer, which is rather unfortunate since it is quite serious. Statistics indicate that colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer<\/a> in the US, with an estimated 140,000 plus people diagnosed annually.<\/p>\n

In 2020, the World Health Organization shared that almost 2 million people<\/strong><\/a> globally were diagnosed with colon cancer. <\/strong>These chilling statistics indicate that this vicious cancer needs the spotlight. Everyone should be aware of colon cancer because early detection saves lives. <\/strong>Learn more about colon cancer below, and what you can do to help prevent it:<\/p>\n

Defining Colon Cancer<\/h2>\n

Colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer. This disease happens when cells in your colon or rectum grow rapidly and out of control. Often, people just call this illness colon cancer. Other names for it include bowel cancer or rectal cancer.<\/p>\n

This disease gets its name from human body anatomy. The colon refers to your body\u2019s large intestines or bowels. Meanwhile, the rectum is the passage or connection for the colon and anus. These areas are a critical part of your body because they remove waste from your body through excretion.<\/p>\n

Polyps: Abnormal Growths in the Colon<\/h2>\n

At times, people can have abnormal tiny growths in their colon or rectum called polyps. These minute and harmless growths can sometimes turn into cancer when left unattended, though many polyps remain harmless. For this reason, you need to undergo regular screenings such as a colonoscopy if you\u2019re 45 and older. When the specialists find polyps, they can remove these tiny growths before they become cancerous.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Is Colon Cancer Genetic?<\/h2>\n

5 \u2013 10% of colon cancer cases are genetic<\/a> (hereditary cases). If you have a family history of colon cancer, meaning any of your family members have been diagnosed with this disease, ask your doctor about conducting screenings<\/a> at a younger age. Again, it is vital to do these checks so you can nip the problem in the bud before it escalates. Besides, treatments work best for early-stage colon cancer versus a form of metastatic cancer.<\/p>\n

Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer<\/h2>\n

Regular screening is crucial because some people with early-stage colon cancer do not notice any symptoms. <\/strong>When the symptoms appear, the signs can vary based on the disease\u2019s size, location, and severity. There are, however, some symptoms of colon cancer you can watch for. Some of the symptoms of colon cancer include one or more of the following:<\/p>\n