People may have colon cancer without even realizing it. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the disease often go unnoticed until it has reached its later stages. However, the prevalence of colon cancer among people under 50 has raised awareness of the disease.
Here are some facts that you should know about colon cancer.
The Risk Factors
Unlike most other cancers, colon cancer is largely affected by variables that you can actually manage or control, such as what you consume and how often you work out.
The risk factors of this disease may include overindulgence in alcohol, excessive smoking, physical inactivity, fat-rich diets, a lack of fiber, and obesity. Meanwhile, the chances of getting colon cancer may increase due to hereditary conditions or diseases that affect the digestive system, such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Other conditions that can increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer are ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, colorectal polyps, and ovarian cancer.
Signs of Colon Cancer
There are some common symptoms of colon cancer, although they might not show at the early stages. These may include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, blood in the feces, cramps, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, and nausea.
Highly Treatable
Colon cancer can be effectively treated and sometimes cured if it is confined to the colon. Surgery is the most common method of treatment and cures around 50% of patients. However, recurrence after surgery is a major problem and often leads to a fatal prognosis.
Early Screening Can Save Your Life
Regular screening for colon cancer should be a standard practice for adults over 50 years old, especially if they have close relatives with a history of colorectal cancer. Despite being one of the most curable cancers, early screening is crucial as it can help increase the effectiveness of the treatments.
