How Risks of Colon Cancer in Women and Men

Cancer occurs when something goes wrong with this system, causing cells to divide and grow out of control. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, non-cancerous (benign) clusters of cells called adematous polyps. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they are often referred to as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer overall and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States for both men and women. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? Men tend to get colon and rectal cancer at an earlier age than women, but women live longer, so they are catching up with men and the total number of cases between men and women is therefore the same. Women diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer before age 50 are at increased risk of colorectal cancer. Women with a personal history of breast cancer have only a very modest increased risk of colorectal cancer. The average age for developing colorectal cancer is 70 years, and 93% of cases occur in people aged 50 and older. You have a higher risk of colon cancer if you have: Cancer elsewhere in the body. Colorectal polyps Crohn's disease Family history of colon cancer Personal history of breast cancer Ulcerative colitis. What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer? Colon and rectal cancer symptoms vary depending on the location of the cancer in the colon or rectum, although there may be no symptoms. The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Cancers originating from the left side of the colon generally cause bleeding or, in the late stages, can cause constipation, abdominal pain, and obstructive symptoms. On the other hand, right-sided colonic lesions may cause vague abdominal pain but are unlikely to present with obstruction or altered bowel habit. Cancer of the right side of the colon may be accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, or anemia resulting from chronic blood loss. If your doctor finds that you have colon and rectal cancer, further tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. Colonoscopy is currently the only test recommended for colorectal cancer screening in people at average risk at 10-year intervals. Colonoscopy surveillance (also called screening colonoscopy) must be available at more frequent intervals for those at high risk for colon cancer (for example, those with a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps; a family history of colorectal cancer; non-hereditary polyposis; colorectal cancer; or a predisposing condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The first step to avoiding this disease is prevention through regular check-ups with your doctor, but there are also other ways to avoid this disease between check-ups. However, increasing the fiber content of the Western diet seems to would be useful in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer It is recommended that physical activity messages promoting at least 30–45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity most days of the week be included in primary prevention Population prevalence of meeting the proposed physical activity criteria for cancer prevention of colonic ions is low and much n narrower than that associated with more general public health recommendations. Our bodies need a lot of calcium, and not just to build strong bones. Prevention of colon cancer is one of the most interesting uses of calcium. However, instead of using calcium supplements, this study relied on low-fat dairy products that supplied 1,200 mg of calcium per day. The investigators found that this amount of calcium reduced the incidence of changes in the cells lining the colon, which is often seen in the early stages of colon cancer. A significant protective factor is sufficient dietary calcium intake during the period of maximum growth (ages 9 and 25) to achieve the correct peak bone mass in the 20s and 30s and maintain it into middle age, with only slow bone loss in the following years. As previously noted, dietary surveys indicate a significant gap between recommended calcium intake and actual intake in the United States during the critical years of adolescence and young adulthood and later in life. In addition, several large recent human studies suggest a role for increased dietary calcium in reducing the risk of colon cancer, as discussed briefly below. Men and women are equally at risk of colorectal cancer. Men over 50 and women over 55 should have this test annually to detect colon cancer early. Nevertheless, colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in women after breast and lung cancer. The incidence is slightly higher in men than in women and is highest in African-American men. It is believed that the time has come for a full scientific review of calcium and vitamin D fortification of cereal grains as an inexpensive, safe, and useful way to reduce osteoporosis and colon cancer in both men and women in the United States. women.