Colon cancer: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Cancer can grow and develop in any part of the body, including all parts of the intestine. Cancer can cause the cells around the affected tissue to go out of control. Come on, get to know more about the cancer that attacks the digestive system in the following review.

Various symptoms of colon cancer according to type

The intestine has many parts and cancer can grow in any part of your intestine. When cancer develops, symptoms are not felt right away. Usually new symptoms are felt, when the cancer has advanced to an advanced stage.

The following are various symptoms that are generally felt based on the type of colon cancer that attacks, such as:

1. Small intestinal cancer

Small intestine (small intestine) is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from the food you eat. In addition, this organ also plays a role and maintains the immune system by fighting bacteria and viruses that enter your body with food.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, common symptoms of small bowel cancer include:

• Stomach pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin, nails, and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Weakness and weight loss without cause
• Having bloody bowel movements makes the stool red or black
• The skin of the body becomes red

2. Colon cancer

The large intestine is the last part of the digestive tract that joins the rectum and anus. The main function of this intestine is to absorb water in the feces. Cancer can initially manifest as small, non-cancerous (benign) lumps called polyps in the large intestine.

This type of cancer usually occurs in older adults, although it can also affect people at a younger age. When cancer develops in the colon, symptoms that may occur include:

• Changing bowel habits, either more frequent bowel movements (diarrhea) or more difficulty defecating (constipation)
• Bloody stools or bleeding in the anus
• Stomach cramps, pain, or bloating often
• Body weakness and weight continues to decrease for no apparent reason

3. Colorectal cancer

When cancer in the colon spreads to the rectum, it is called colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can also start on the opposite side, from the rectum and spread to the intestines, or occur simultaneously.

The rectum or rectal is located very close to the large intestine. The rectum itself is the final drain that carries feces from the large intestine to the anus. Some of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Bloody stool and black stool
• Stomach pain and bloating
• Quickly full even if you only eat a little so that you lose weight drastically
• There is a lump in the stomach when pressed
• You are deficient in iron

What causes colon cancer?

The cause of cancer is currently uncertain. However, the development of cancer is known to start from the occurrence of DNA mutations in healthy body cells.

DNA contains a series of information that tells the cells in the intestines what to do. Generally, healthy cells function to keep your body working normally. However, when the DNA of healthy cells becomes damaged by mutation, the cells continue to divide malignantly and form tumors.

Mutations of many different genes are usually required to cause colon cancer. Over time, cancer cells can spread and destroy nearby normal cells and tissues.

Although the main cause is not yet known, certain risk factors such as genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle can increase a person's risk of developing cancer.

How to diagnose bowel cancer

Cancer can only be diagnosed by a doctor and confirmed through a series of medical examinations. First of all, the doctor will probably ask you what symptoms you are experiencing, your medical history so far, as well as a medical history in your family.

If you really have a suspicion of colon cancer, your doctor will recommend that you perform the following tests:

1. Scanning test

This test can show you a picture of the inside of your intestines. That way, the doctor can see whether there is really a tumor lump that is suspected of being cancer or not.

The scan can also tell the doctor if the cancer has spread. These types of tests can include X-rays, CT scans, or MRI.

2. Endoscopy

Your doctor may also do an endoscopy to see the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

To perform the endoscopy the doctor will insert an endoscope, a thin tube like a tube that has a light and camera at the end.

You will be given medication to calm your body when the tube is inserted in this procedure.

3. Colonoscopy

This examination is performed using a colonoscope, a flexible tube equipped with a flashlight, camera, and micro scalpel to remove tissue in the intestine.

A colonoscopy device will be inserted through the anus, then into the rectum, and into the intestinal tract. At the same time, the doctor will pump carbon dioxide so that the image of the intestine is more clearly visible.

During the colonoscopy screening, any abnormal growths on the colon and rectum will be seen. If there is an abnormal growth, it can also be removed with the instrument in the colonoscopy tube.

While undergoing this test, generally the patient will be given sedation drugs which aim to calm the patient's body.

4. Other tests

If the three tests above have not confirmed the diagnosis of bowel cancer, the doctor can then do:

• Blood chemistry test.
• Liver function tests.
• Occult blood test to detect blood in your stool.
• Lymph node biopsy, which is to remove a piece of your lymph node to check for cancer cells.
• Laparotomy, which is an operation to cut the wall of your stomach to look for signs of disease

What are the treatments for colon cancer?

To treat colon cancer, doctors generally will do one or more combinations of treatments. Here are the options:

1. Colectomy

Surgery or surgery to remove part or all of the colon, is called a colectomy. The surgeon will generally remove the part of the colon that has started to develop cancer and the surrounding area.

The surrounding lymph nodes are also usually removed if this is the starting point for the cancer to spread to the intestine. Depending on how much the doctor removed your intestine, the healthy portion of the intestine will be reattached to the rectum or attached to the stoma.

Previously, it should be noted that when performing cancer surgery, the doctor will make a stoma. A stoma is a hole made in the abdominal wall. Later, the stool or urine will enter the stoma bag after undergoing colon cancer surgery.

2. Laparoscopy

If the cancer has not spread widely, doctors can remove and remove the cancer with laparoscopic surgery.

This surgery is done by using several small incisions in the abdomen. Then, the part of the intestine that is affected by cancer will be removed.

3. Palliative

Palliative surgery can be used to treat cancer. This operation aims to relieve symptoms in cases of cancer that cannot be treated. This operation is also useful for relieving blockage in the intestine, dealing with pain, bleeding, and other symptoms.

4. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals, aka drugs. Chemotherapy drugs will interfere with the process of cell division by damaging the protein or DNA of cancer cells.

This chemotherapy treatment targets any rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones. Healthy cells can usually recover from damage caused by chemicals, but cancer cells cannot.

Chemotherapy is generally used to treat colon cancer that has spread. This is because chemotherapy drugs have their effects spread throughout the body.

Treatment can be done in several cycles, so it takes several stages of chemotherapy during the treatment period.

Colon cancer chemotherapy can cause the following side effects:

• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Gag

Most of the side effects generally resolve a few weeks after chemotherapy. The doctor will also do a combination of chemotherapy therapy with other treatments, depending on the condition of your cancer ..

5. Radiation

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment whose goal is to damage and kill cancer cells. This radiation focuses high-energy gamma rays.

Radioactive gamma rays are emitted from metals such as radium, or from high-energy X rays. Radiotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment to shrink tumors or destroy cancer cells, or in conjunction with other cancer treatments.

Bowel cancer radiation treatment is generally used if rectal cancer is at an early stage. For example, if the cancer has penetrated the rectum wall or spread to other areas around it.

Side effects of radiation therapy that can occur include:

• The skin becomes thinner, lighter resembling sunburn or after sunbathing
• You feel nauseous and even vomit
• You develop diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Appetite and weight loss

How to prevent colon cancer?

Bowel cancer can happen to anyone. However, there is no need to worry because cancer is quite easy to reduce the risk or even prevent it by changing your lifestyle to be healthier.

Here are some ways to prevent cancer:

1. Diligent cancer screening

Cancer can be prevented by diligent checking. This examination functions to detect the risk of cancer so that it can be treated immediately.

If you have a family history of cancer it is advisable to do several checks a year.

2. Maintain a healthy weight

Several types of cancer, including colon cancer are generally at risk for obese people.

Try starting a pattern and lifestyle by eating healthy while exercising regularly. This can prevent excess body weight, nourish the body, as well as prevent and from the risk of cancer.

3. Do not smoke

Smoking is one of the things that must be avoided if you don't want to get cancer. The toxins in cigarettes are carcinogenic and can damage the DNA in the body. Apart from increasing the risk of colon cancer, smoking serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke and emphysema.

4. Eat healthy foods

Eating a healthy diet is one way to reduce the risk of colon cancer. For that you are advised to recommend a diet low in fat and rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to reduce the risk of cancer.

It is important to avoid alcohol and red meat foods. Eating too much beef and pork, especially grilled ones, increases the risk of cancer. In addition, eating processed meats such as bacon, sausage and bologna has also been shown to increase the risk of cancer.

5. Exercise

Exercise is also a healthy way of life that can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Exercise can maintain overall mental and physical health. It doesn't have to be strenuous exercise like lifting weights.

Moderate but routine exercise such as brisk walking, cycling, dancing, or swimming can maintain a healthy body and prevent chronic diseases, including colon cancer.