Health Talk

With the advancement in medical technology, colorectal cancer is highly curable when detected at early stage. The disease starts when a formation of benign polyps appear in the surface of the colon. Although most polyps are benign, there is also a high possibility that it can be cancerous.

There are two types of polyps - Adenomas and Hyperplastic intestinal polyps. These polyps usually occurs when cell growths in the colon cannot normally execute, resulting to its abnormal cell mutation. Once polyps are not detected, this can turn into a full colorectal cancer disease. But when diagnosed at an early stage, it can be cured and cancer can be prevented.

Like other types of cancers, colon cancer risks highly depends on natural factors. Below are its causes.

There are no visible symptoms of colon cancer at an early stage. That's why it is important to get screened once you hit 40 years old. The symptoms depends on the location of the tumor cells in the bowel and whether it has spread elsewhere in the body. Common symptom is the blood in the stool, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, sudden weight loss, fatigue and constant stress. When the symptoms are ignored, it's more highly difficult to treat.

There is only one way to screen or diagnose the disease and that is through colonoscopy. A tiny camera will be inserted inside the colon through the anus to examine the entire internal structure of the colon and the rectum. Colonoscopy examination does not only tracts the whereabouts of the tumors, it can also remove the polyps formation immediately during the procedure.

Other tools for screening the colon are virtual 3d colonoscopy and x-ray of the colon. These two screening examinations are similar to CT-scan and x-ray examinations. Although camera insertion is not required, traditional colonoscopy will still be performed once polyps are found inside the colon.

There are four stages of colon cancer.

Stage 1 - Cancer has not yet spread
Stage 2 - Cancer has spread into the muscle layer of the colon
Stage 3 - Cancer has spread into one or more lymph nodes in the area
Stage 4 - Cancer has spread to other organs in the body

Survival rates for patients who have this disease depends on its stage classifications. In all, stages 1 to 3 are curable but stage 4 has a survival rate of only 8% and one can be lucky enough to reach five more years of existence after initial diagnosis.

Surgery is the best treatment for colon cancer as it removes the tumors from the colon. But if the cancer cells spread through other parts of the organs such as liver and lungs, the treatment will no longer require surgery and becomes more impossible to cure. Other treatments include radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation and chemotherapy. These two methods are effective in eliminating cancer cells within the colon. However chemotherapy also reduces healthy cells which makes the patient more weak and prone to other complications.

Since cancer cells live inside our body, the best thing is to prevent those cells to multiply in large scales. One of the best and natural ways to prevent these cancer diseases is through a healthy lifestyle. Below are some ways to help you prevent colorectal cancer.

1. Exercise

Regular physical workout is one of the best protection you can ever have against this cancer disease. Exercise strengthens our immune system and helps detoxify our body from deadly virus and bacterias. A 30 minutes daily workout is highly recommended for all ages to sustain a physically fit body.

2. Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fiber, vitamins, nutrients and minerals will definitely lower your risk of colon cancer and other deadly diseases. Maintain a vegetable and fruit meal everyday and avoid junk and processed foods.

3. Lessen Your Meat Consumption

Over consumption of meat products are a major cause of colorectal cancer. Meats are three times harder to digest than fish and plant foods which makes your intestines to work double time.

4. Stop Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

Smoking and too much alcohol are two of the worst habits you could ever do. These two vises are not only lethal for cancer formation but also for almost all diseases known to man. Stop smoking and drink moderately to maintain a good and healthy body.

5. Regular Check-up

Regular and constant screening like colonoscopy, helps prevent the cancer from getting worse. Early detection of the disease makes it possible for treatment. Medical experts suggests that a colonoscopy examination must be performed every ten years once you hit the age 40.

Colon cancer can be cured and treatable at an early stage. Remember not to ignore all symptoms stated above and consult your doctor immediately if you experience any irregularities in your bowel movements. Live healthy at an early age, this will lower your risk of every disease especially colorectal cancer.

For more news and information on health and wellness, please make sure to visit www.healthtalkbuzz.com/.