Little Known Facts About Colon Cancer: Know It, Stay Alive

In recent times, many people tend to associate the word “cancer” with “death” as if they were identical to each other. In fact, people immediately think of death even before knowing specific details about a person’s actual state of health. Perhaps this is due to the alarming but deadly threat of the disease that can affect anyone from all walks of life, regardless of age and gender.

While the number of cancer patients continues to grow each day, it’s important to always keep faith that there is still hope: there are still ways to diagnose, treat, and even prevent this chronic disease. Consciousness really matters.

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer (or rectal or bowel cancer), is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, and yet the most misunderstood. With the fact that this is a fatal type of cancer, everyone (especially patients) is encouraged to get to the bottom of this health issue. And this means not only learning more about him, but also learning how to save his life.

A deeper understanding

Atlantic Medical Group (AMG), a North Carolina-based gastroenterology center, defines colon cancer as a foreign growth of cells that develops in a person’s colon or rectum. It normally begins as polyps that grow within the inner lining of the large intestine.

AMG believes that the lack of knowledge about a certain disease will definitely endanger human life. Therefore, it is about sharing little known facts about colon cancer. Here are some interesting randomly compiled sets of information:

– It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

– In 2009, there were 146,970 reported cases of colon/rectal cancer diagnosed in the US, and this number dropped to 131,607 in 2010. However, there was a higher number of deaths in 2010, set at 52,045, while there were 49,920 people who died from this disease in 2009.

– People with a first-degree relative who has colon cancer have two to three times the risk of developing the same disease.

– Screening is best recommended for people 50 years of age (or under 50 if a patient is believed to be at much higher risk of developing such a disease). This process is a preventive measure that prevents the case from getting worse.

– Polyps and inflammation are early signs/indicators of colon cancer.

– Smoking increases the risk of acquiring colon cancer.

– Many studies suggest that a person who eats red meat and meats with high fat content has a higher chance of getting this type of cancer.

– This is more common among obese and overweight people; less common among people who exercise regularly.

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Too many Americans skip colon cancer screenings.

While it’s impossible to guess or predict which of us will get this dreaded condition (or when it might), it really pays to know that there are things we can do to reduce our risk of developing colon cancer.

Gastroenterology Science

Cancer does not mean death. Many still manage to survive this. It is just a matter of faith and conscience.

If you feel you have signs and symptoms of colon cancer, there is nothing better than seeking the advice of health experts at a gastroenterology center.