Colon Cancer

Colon cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer) is any cancer that affects the final section of the digestive system (usually the colon or rectum). It is one of the most widespread cancers in the UK and causes over 16,000 deaths each year. There are a number of risk factors associated with this type of cancer. In this article I will be discussing these risks and hopefully helping you avoid this potentially lethal condition.

1) GETTING OLDER: Unfortunately the number one risk factors for colorectal cancer is completely beyond our control. Over 85% of these cancers are diagnosed in people aged 60 or over. The reason for this is that most colorectal cancers come from polyps (fleshy growths) in the colon. Most of these polyps are harmless but they can become cancerous. As we age our chances of developing polyps increases and therefore so does our risk of developing this type of cancer.

2) EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Drinking too much alcohol is another factor that increases your colon cancer risk. Although some studies do suggest that drinking wine in moderation can lower your bowel cancer risk, the evidence is almost unanimous that heavy drinking is linked with this and other types of cancer too.

Colon Stores Waste Material

The colon is the part of the large intestine that stores waste material. Colon cancer develops when harmful cells begin to grow abnormally inside the colon, which can be initiated from a number of causes.

These cause include some genetic and some experiential. Studies have shown that the cells leading to colon cancer were once polyps, benign tumor inside the colon. When polyps are left untreated, they can become cancerous. The cancerous cells present in colon cancer can often spread to other parts of the body, causing new tumors to form. It is unlikely that colon cancer can be cured once it has spread to other parts of the body.

It is believed that high fat diets can lead to colon cancer. Research shows that the fat intake of people with colon cancer is much lower than that of people without colon cancer. When fat metabolism breaks down, it is believed to cause cancerous chemicals to form in the body. These chemicals cause the abnormal growth of cells. Diets that contain a large amount of vegetables and fiber help to cleanse the body of these chemicals thus reducing the risk of developing colon cancer.

Family history also plays a part in the risk factors for developing colon cancer. Those that have a first-degree relative with colon cancer have a higher risk of developing the cancer themselves. Studies have shown that a vast majority of colon cases cancer occur when there is no family history.

Some disorders cause patients to inherit genetic defects that lead to colon cancer. Those who inherit these disorders have the genetic information in every cell. This leads to an increased risk of developing colon polyps, even at young ages. The risk of developing colon cancer as a child is increased.