Food and Nutrition - Colorectal Cancer |
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Colorectal Cancer An Introduction
Colorectal cancer also known as bowel cancer is one of the commonest cancers affecting the male populace. However, colorectal cancer, is largely preventable with regular screening and is treatable with early detection. Colorectal cancer develops slowly over a long period of time.
The colon is the last part of the digestive system and the rectum is the last few inches of the bowel. Before a cancer develops, it usually begins as a non-cancerous polyp.
A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue lining the colon or rectum. Adenoma, a type of polyp has the highest risk of becoming a cancer. Based on medical statistics, removing all colon polyps can reduce the risk of getting colon cancer by 80 % to 90 %.
Colorectal cancer patients have one of the highest survival statistics following surgical resection of early stage tumor. Thus, early detection before any symptoms appear.
According to the guidelines issued by the American Gastroenterology Association, all above age of 50 should go for colon cancer screening. However, for those with family members diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps below the age of 50, the starting age for screening should be 40 years old or earlier.
For those patients with colonic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, screening should be done much earlier.
Risk factors of colorectal cancer include:
Related Links
Colorectal Cancer - Screening Methods
Colorectal Cancer - Risk Reduction
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