Quick Links
Colon Cancer and Texas Oncology. I Can Fight.
At Texas Oncology, we believe that arming yourself with knowledge about colon cancer and colon cancer treatment is a valuable way to prepare for the challenges and choices the illness brings. Colon cancer is an understandably frightening diagnosis. Just the word cancer causes unsettling feelings of fear and anxiety. If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, learning about your disease can be a powerful weapon in combating cancer. Texas Oncology provides this guide as a first step for self education about risk factors, symptoms, possible preventive measures and options for colon cancer treatment. With Texas Oncology, you can have advanced cancer treatment in Texas, and in your hometown.
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer begins in the gastrointestinal system and usually grows gradually over an extended period of time. Colon cancer usually starts as a noncancerous polyp, or growth of tissue within the tissue layers lining the colon, which then may develop into cancer. Apart from skin cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer (or colorectal cancers) together are the third most common type of cancer found in men and women in Texas and in the United States.
What Causes Colon Cancer?
While the exact causes of colon cancer are not clear, a number of risk factors have been identified by the medical community, including the following:
- Age: The chances of developing colon cancer sharply increase over the age of 50.
- Personal history of colon cancer: If you have had colorectal cancer in the past there is a greater likelihood you will develop it again.
- Personal History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Having a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, which involve long-term inflammation of the colon, is associated with having a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
- Family history: People with close relatives who have had colon cancer are at a greater risk of developing the disease. Those with a family history should consult a doctor about the frequency of screening.
- Ethnicity: Jews of Eastern European descent have the highest colon cancer risk of any ethnic group; this is likely due to certain genetic mutations carried by some members of this group.
- Race: African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates of colon cancer.
- Diabetes: Diabetics are 30 percent more likely to develop and die from colon cancer.
- Lynch Syndrome: This inherited condition affecting the body’s genes increases the likelihood of a colon cancer diagnosis. In many cases, the positive diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome occurs before age 45. Genetic testing is available to determine if a person has the gene mutation associated with Lynch Syndrome.
- Diet: Overweight people are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. A high-fat diet can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, including diets that contain large amounts of red and processed meats.
- Other factors: a number of other factors, such as physical inactivity and being a heavy drinker or smoker have been shown to increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
How Can Colon Cancer Be Prevented?
There is no sure way to avoid developing colon cancer; however, certain lifestyle and nutritional factors can increase the risk of developing the disease.
- Screening
- Screening is essential to diagnosing colon cancer because the disease lacks symptoms in the early stages. It is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of colon cancer and rectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women over the age of 50 were screened routinely.
- Men and women age 50 and older with an average risk for developing colon cancer should have at least one of the five screening tests: annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT); flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; double contrast barium enema every five years; or colonoscopy every 10 years.
- Lifestyle
- Maintaining a regular exercise schedule and healthy diet may decrease the risk of colon cancer. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods and a limited intake of high-fat foods, red meat and alcohol. According to the American Cancer Society, garlic consumption may decrease colon cancer risk.
- Use aspirin and other related drugs in moderation. Studies suggest that aspirin and drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen prevent the growth of polyps. Consult your doctor about what is best for you.
What are Colon Cancer Symptoms?
Typically, people in the early stages of colon cancer do not have symptoms; symptoms become apparent as the disease advances. If a person experiences any of the following symptoms, he or she should consult a physician immediately:
- Change in bowel habits
- Chronic fatigue
- Weakness and tiredness
- Cramping or steady stomach pain
- Unexplained stomach discomfort
- Frequent gas, pains, or indigestion
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool
- Stools that are narrower than usual
What are the Colon Cancer Types?
There are five main types of colon cancer:
- Adenocarcinomas are by far the most common type of colon cancer, comprising about 95% of all colorectal cancer cases. This type originates in the glands around the colon and has two sub-types: mucinous and signet ring cell cancer.
- Leiomyosarcomas occur in the smooth muscle of the colon and account for only 2% colorectal cancers. These have a fairly high chance of metastasizing, or spreading to other parts of the body.
- Lymphomas are rare and are more likely to start in the rectum than in the colon. However, lymphomas that start elsewhere in the body are more likely to spread to the colon than to the rectum. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for about 0.5% of colon cancers.
- Melanomas make up about 2% of colorectal cancers. They usually start somewhere else in the body and spread to the colon or rectum.
- Neuroendocrine tumors are broken into two types: aggressive and indolent. Large and small cell neuroendocrine tumors are considered aggressive, while carcinoid tumors are considered indolent.
What are the Colon Cancer Treatment Options?
Anyone with colon cancer should consult with a medical oncologist to determine their specific cancer treatment needs. Based on the stage of the cancer and the results of these tests, Texas Oncology personalizes the colon cancer treatment for each individual.
Colon cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody therapies. In addition, biologic therapy is a new type of colon cancer treatment being tested in clinical trials. Specific needs may be addressed by Texas Oncology surgeons, gastroenterologists or medical or radiation oncologists.
Surgery is the primary treatment for most colon cancer patients. It involves the physical removal of part or all of the affected areas through incisions in the abdomen or other areas of the body.
Radiation therapy employs a beam of focused radiation designed to stop colon cancer cells from dividing. It is an effective treatment because it preferentially treats the more rapidly-dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the body of the patient.
Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells through the infusion of drugs directly into the bloodstream. Various types of drugs are used in chemotherapy, and, often, a combination of drugs is used to treat a particular type of colon cancer.
Texas Oncology cancer centers provide cancer treatment and hope to people throughout the Southwest with cancer and blood disorders. At Texas Oncology, we use the same leading edge technologies as the top cancer centers in the nation. In addition, our support services team is committed to addressing the educational, emotional, financial and nutritional needs of our patients during their cancer treatment. We have local cancer centers throughout Texas, providing access to Texas Oncology cancer treatments in a location near you.