How To Prevent Colon Cancer

How To Prevent Colon Cancer

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ore than 95% of colorectal cancers come from adenocarcinoma polyps. These cancers start in cells that form mucus glands, which lubricate the colon and rectum. A polyp is a group of cells that form on top of each other and may eventually turn cancerous. Carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and lymphomas also cause 5% of colon cancers. Doctors say the best way to prevent colon cancer is to undergo regular screening tests after the age of 50 and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Most individuals develop colon cancer rather slowly, over several years. The first stage of development occurs when a mass of tissues, tumors or polyps (a cluster of benign tumors) grow within the colon walls. Polyp type cancers can grow into the wall of the colon, invade nearby lymph nodes and spread to other organs in the body. This is called "metastatic colon cancer" because of its mobility. In some cases, the lining of the colon may be irregular and inflamed, which may also lead to cancer. To prevent colon cancer, regular testing is vital after the age of 50.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in America, with 49,920 deaths and 106,100 new cases diagnosed each year. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 9. Despite these grim statistics, the mortality rate has been decreasing for several decades due to advances in screening technology and the easy removal of polyps on the walls of the colon before they turn cancerous. The best way to prevent colon cancer is to get regular screening tests after 50 and live a healthy lifestyle, experts say. Today, there are over 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the U.S.

Cancer research has never been more exciting

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are testing a new vaccine (the "Pitt Vaccine") that may treat polyps and prevent colon cancer in high-risk patients. "By stimulating an immune response against the MUC1 protein in these precancerous growths, we may be able to draw the immune system's fire to attack and destroy the abnormal cells," lead investigator, Dr. Robert E. Schoen, said. "That might not only prevent progression to cancer, but even polyp recurrence." Until this vaccine has been tested, readily available and covered by insurances, the best that colon cancer patients or at-risk individuals can do is get regularly screened, eat healthy, exercise and practice healthy habits.

Before talking about colon cancer prevention, let's talk a little about what colon cancer is, exactly. Both the colon and rectum are part of the digestive system. The first part of the digestive system, which is the esophagus and stomach, breaks down food to be processed into energy. Next, the broken down food travels to the small intestine/bowel, which is a narrow, 20-foot section that continues breaking down food and absorbing most of the nutrients. The small intestine then sends the remaining material to the five-foot-long colon (which is also referred to as "the large intestine"), where it absorbs salt and water and stores waste. The first part of the colon is the ascending colon, which is attached to the small intestine and the appendix on the right side of the abdomen. The transverse colon runs from the right to the left side of the upper abdomen. The descending colon travels downward on the left side and the sigmoid colon is an S-shaped portion that passes food matter down to the rectum, the final six inches of the digestive system, which will pass food out of the body through the anus. No one is really sure what exactly causes a colon cancer cell to develop in the first place, or why some experience a colon cancer recurrence, but research suggests a variety of lifestyle, hereditary and environmental factors are at play.

It may be impossible to completely prevent Colon cancer

The American Cancer Society says that catching colon cancer symptoms early through screening tests is the key. Regular colon cancer screening should begin at age 50 for most people, unless they're in a high risk category. Each year, individuals should get a fecal occult blood test, which is done by submitting a stool sample. A stool DNA test may also be done at that same time, since it also uses a stool sample to gather results. Then, every five years, patients should get a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which involves a long, flexible tube that checks the last few feet of the colon for colon polyps, and a double-contrast barium enema that uses an x-ray and dye to check the upper portion of the colon. A virtual colonoscopy using a CT scan machine should also be done every 5 years. A colonoscopy procedure involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube, light and camera to view the entire colon and should then be done every 10 years, or every 5 years if any irregularities have been found during the other screenings.

To prevent colon cancer, screening tests and diagnostic tests are extremely important for early detection of colon polyps, which may later become cancerous. Most people begin testing at age 50, although people who are at high risk will need to go in for testing sooner. You may be at high risk of developing colon cancer if you are obese, you smoke, you eat a lot of saturated fats/red meats, you eat a diet low in vitamins/minerals and fiber, you have diabetes, you have FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) or HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, if you have growth hormone disorder, or if you have had ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Testing options include stool sample testing (fecal occult blood test, stool DNA test), lighted exploratory tubes being placed in the colon to look for polyps (flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy), and x-rays (double-contrast barium enema, virtual colonoscopy). These should be done every 5 to 10 years, on average.

As you may have heard, screening tests are the best way to prevent colon cancer from developing. Medicare and insurance companies cover the annual fecal occult blood test and four-year sigmoidoscopy for those over 50 years of age. Additionally, Medicare will cover the colonoscopy procedure every two years for patients who are determined to be "high risk," and every ten years for an average-risk patient. Some of these colon cancer screening procedures involve simple stool samples, while others involve a tube being inserted into the anus, rectum and colon to take a peek at any colon polyps that may be forming. While it may sound terribly uncomfortable, the colonoscopy is one of the most effective ways to identify trouble spots. Other minimally invasive tests may include x-rays, such as the virtual colonoscopy and the double-contrast barium enema.

Lifestyle changes are an important way to prevent colon cancer

It goes without saying that smoking, inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption are contributors to many types of adverse health conditions. Colon cancer prevention involves eating the right foods, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, onions, potatoes, broccoli, artichokes, celery, beans, peas, whole grain products, berries, cantaloupes, mangoes, persimmons and dried apricots, etc. Limit the amount of red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs, luncheon meats), cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, broiling and grilling) and saturated fats.

Research suggests one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer is to eat right. An Ohio State University study found that rodents who were fed raspberries with their meals developed 80% less tumors than rodents who ate regular food. Blackberries and raspberries contain anthocyanins and polyphenolics, which inhibit blood vessel formation that would normally feed a cancerous cell. Secondly, an 8-year study from UCSD found that vitamin D/sunlight exposure alters the growth of colon cells to prevent malignancy. It's best to spend 10 minutes in the sun before applying sunscreen, as even SPF-8 lotion can reduce your ability to convert sunlight to Vitamin D by 95%. A University of Maryland lab study shows that the inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) fiber in corn prevents the growth of the colon cancer cell by regulating cell activity. Louisiana State University researchers discovered that curry inhibits cancer cell movement and can even destroy some smaller cancer cells. Lastly, Oregon State University researchers recommend white tea for its anti-oxidant properties. In addition to these foods, individuals should limit red meat, saturated fat, alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Lifestyle habits play a major role in one's ability to prevent colon cancer. A 2007 World Cancer Research Fund report indicated there was "overwhelming evidence" linking obesity, exercise and diet to colon cancer. Researchers found that a high intake of red and processed meats, smoking, obesity and diabetes were all linked to a 20% increased risk of colorectal cancer. Moreover, those who exercised consistently had a 20% lower risk of the disease. People who drank a drink per day or more had a 60% increased risk of colorectal cancer as well. The overall message was that the best colon cancer prevention is by modifying inappropriate behaviors today.

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