What is Risks of Colon Cancer in Women and Men?

Cancer occurs when something goes wrong with this system, causing uncontrolled cell division and growth. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the lower part of your digestive system. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, non-cancerous (benign) clumps of cells called anomalous polyps. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they are often referred to as colorectal cancers. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer-killer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death overall in both men and women in the United States. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? Men tend to get colorectal cancer earlier than women, but women live longer and therefore catch up with men, and therefore the total number of cases in men and women is equal. Women diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer before age 50 are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer. There is only a very slight increase in the risk of colorectal cancer in women with a personal history of breast cancer. The average age of developing colorectal cancer is 70, and 93% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older. Your risk of colon cancer is higher if: Cancer elsewhere in the body. Colorectal polypsCrohn's disease Family history of colon cancer Personal history of breast cancer Ulcerative colitis. What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer? The symptoms of colorectal cancer vary depending on the location of the cancer in the colon or rectum, but there may be no symptoms at all. The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Cancers arising from the left side of the colon usually bleed or in its 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 occur with obstruction or altered bowel habit. Other symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, or anemia from chronic blood loss may accompany cancer of the right side of the colon. If your doctor finds out you have colorectal cancer, more tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. Colonoscopy is currently the only test recommended to screen for colorectal cancer at 10-year intervals in people at average risk. Colonoscopic surveillance (also called screening colonoscopy) should be available at more frequent intervals for individuals at high risk for colon cancer (eg, personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps; family history of colorectal cancer; nonhereditary polyposis). A predisposing condition such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The first step to avoiding this ailment is to take precautions with regular tests at the doctor, but there are other ways to get around this disease between checkups. It seems so, though. It is recommended that physical activity messages that encourage at least 30-45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity most days of the week should be included in primary prevention, as increasing the fiber content in the Western diet would be beneficial in primary prevention of colorectal cancer. Interventions for cancer The population prevalence of meeting recommended physical activity criteria for colon cancer is low and much lower than that associated with more general public health recommendations. Our bodies need a lot of calcium, not just to build strong bones. Colon cancer prevention is one of the most exciting uses of calcium. However, this study relied on low-fat dairy products to provide 1,200 mg of calcium per day, rather than using calcium supplements. The researchers found that this amount of calcium reduced the incidence of changes in the cells lining the colon that are often seen in the early stages of colon cancer. An important protective factor is adequate dietary calcium intake during the period of maximum growth (9 and 25 years), so that appropriate peak bone mass is reached at 20 and 30 years and is maintained until midlife, with only slow bone loss. Subsequent years As noted earlier, nutritional research points to a significant gap between recommended calcium intake and actual intake during the critical years of adolescence and young adulthood in the United States and later in life. Additionally, several large-scale, recent studies in humans point to the role of increased dietary calcium in reducing colon cancer risk, as discussed briefly below. Both men and women are at equal risk for colorectal cancer. Men over 50 and women over 55 should have this test annually to detect colon cancer early. However, 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 cereal-grain fortification with calcium and vitamin D as a low-cost, safe, and beneficial way to reduce osteoporosis and colon cancer in both men and women in the United States