Colorectal Cancer Risks

Tumors of the colon and rectum, or colorectal cancers, are relatively common. Colorectal cancer is a disease that is prevalent in western cultures mainly do to their diet which is rich in fats and cholesterol. As of a decade ago, there were an estimated 143,000 new cases and 56,000 deaths from the disease in the United States alone. The incidence of the disease increases with age, with the highest incidence for people over the age 85. Heredity plays another major role, as studies show that the rate is higher for people with a family history of colon cancer. Patients with IFD and those with polyps in the colon have a higher risk as well. The exact cause of colon and rectal cancer is still unknown, but at least, the risk factors have been identified http://www.colontoxcleanse.com/colo-rectalcancer

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Increasing age Family history of colon cancer or polyps Previous colon cancer or adenomatous polyps History of inflammatory bowel disease High-fat, high-protein (with high intake of beef), low fiber diet Genital cancer or breast cancer (in women)

Changes in locations of colon cancer have occurred in recent years. The incidence of cancer in the sigmoid and rectal areas has decreased, whereas the incidence of cancer in the cecum, ascending, and descending colon has increased.

Improved screening practices have helped to reduce the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer in recent years. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment could save almost three out of four people with colorectal cancer. If the disease is detected and treated in an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 90%, but only 34% of colorectal cancers are found in an early stage. Survival rates after late diagnosis are very low. Most people are asymptomatic for long periods and seek health care only when they notice a change in bowel habits or rectal bleeding. Prevention and early screening are key to the detection and reduction of mortality rates.

Colorectal cancer is having a dramatic effect globally. It is the third most common cancer in the Western world and it is third in the United States as well. It is also the second largest cancer related cause of death in both the United States and the western world.

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum and metastasizes throughout the body. The colon provides the perfect place for cancer to develop because the bodies waste, including the toxins we ingest, are constantly passing through it. The rectum is situated at the end of the waste disposal system. It is

joined to the anus which is attached to the large intestine, or the colon as it is commonly called.

Tumors of the rectum are characterized by atypical growths on the inside walls of the large intestine. There are some growths in the colon that are not cancerous, but they could become cancerous. A polyp is the name for benign tumors of the colon. Colorectal cancer causes 655,000 casualties annually worldwide. Colon cancer is thought to start in adenomatous polyps in the intestines. These mushroom resembling growths are usually benign.

Colon cancer has relatively few symptoms except in the later stages. Because of this, most doctors recommend preventive tests be initiated early and often. The most frequently used tests for this condition are fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer usually begins as minute,

noncancerous clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps which produce no symptoms. in later stages, numerous polyps are capable of causing painless rectal bleeding that is so minute that the person would not even know that it was occurring, but occult blood testing will reveal it to your doctor. A colonoscopy will show polyps and allow their removal before they turn cancerous. The danger of cancer is higher in polyps that have grown to 1 centimeter or larger.

Depending on the size, location and the stage of the cancer, surgery is usually the first procedure attempted. Chemotherapy and or radiotherapy may also be used in conjunction with surgery, depending on the progress of the cancer.

Changing the diet is one of the most important factors in post surgical care. By changing to a high fiber diet, the waste moves through the colon at a much quicker pace which can help to prevent future cancers from forming. High fiber diets are useful in the prevention of further cancers because they are loaded in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients come from plants and they produce

phytochemicals, which are non-nutritive plant chemicals that contain protective, disease-preventing compounds.

Minerals and vitamins have been shown to reduce cancer development in humans. Studies have shown that calcium and Vitamin D provide protection that limits the production of cancerous cells.

Debates regarding the benefits of vitamin C or carotenoids such as antioxidants are ongoing, but the evidence produced so far indicates that hey are effective in reducing the risks of colon cancer. For those that enjoy alcoholic beverages, you might consider adding vegetables rich in folate to your diet. A diet rich in green leafy veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower offer a good defense for colon cancer due to the quantity of phytochemical properties that they contain and they can off set the deleterious effects of alcohol.

If you have a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer or you have had it in the past, you are at much greater risk of contracting it again then most people. Colorectal cancer is categorized as an adenocarcinoma cancer. In essence, this means that the cells start out benign, then mutate into cancerous cells. This explains the lack of initial symptoms, but one should not be fooled because when 4

the transition occurs, the cells metastasize quickly. progresses, the symptoms become evident. Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

As colorectal cancer

Nausea and vomiting Pelvis and abdominal pain Blood mixed in with the feces Diarrhea and, or constipation (Irritable Bowel Disease) Anemia, lethargy and weight loss

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Inactivity Exposure to human papilloma virus or genital warts A family or medical history of colon cancer Increasing age Inadequate diet, low fiber and high in fat and red meat

Defense Against Colorectal Cancer

Change to a healthy diet rich in fiber, whole grains, fish and fresh

fruits and vegetables

Adequate and regular physical exercise Sufficient water intake

The best defense against colorectal cancer is a good offense. See your doctor regularly, eat foods high in fiber and exercise regularly. Follow this advice and maintain a healthy, clean colon, and you should be able to avoid the ravages of colorectal cancer.

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