Nowadays gastrointestinal cancers, especially colon and rectal cancers are prevalent all over the world and in Iran and more importantly, in recent years we are witnessing this disease at a younger age in Iranian society. Given the importance of this in the article, colon cancer (colon cancer) will explain the cause and symptoms of this cancer.
Cause of colon cancer
There is no definite cause for colon cancer yet, but doctors know what could potentially increase the risk of actually developing colon cancer, some of which will be out of our control. But most will be controlled by changes in lifestyle and diet.
Factors that increase the risk of colon cancer
- Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Old age is the cause of colon cancer
- Increased chance of colon cancer with inflammatory bowel conditions
- Colon Cancer Due to Genetics or Family History We have discussed this in an earlier article on
- ways to diagnose colon and rectal cancers.
- Low fiber, high fat diet
- Semi-prepared and canned foods
- A quiet lifestyle can be one of the causes of this disease.
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- smoking
- alcohol consumption
Symptoms of colon cancer
- Bleeding from the anus or stool containing blood
- Abdominal pain, bloating, and persistent mildew
- Feeling complete lack of drainage and incomplete disposal
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unexpected and unwanted weight loss
Colon cancer is a silent disease that needs to be taken seriously and early detection of cancer plays an important role in its definitive treatment. Tell exactly what happened and provide screening history if any.
Diagnosis of colon cancer
Several tests can be used to find polyps or colon cancer. Here are some of them. It is usually the first step to see a specialist who will request any of the following diagnostic procedures if needed.
Types of stool testing
GFOBT Test: This test is performed with the help of Guayak, which is used to detect the presence of blood in the stool.
FIT Test: This test also uses an antibody to detect blood in the stool.
FIT-DNA Test: The FIT-DNA test, called the stool DNA test, is a combination of FIT with a test that detects changes in stool DNA.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy test
In this test, your doctor inserts a light, short, thin, flexible tube into the anus and examines the presence of polyps or cancer in the colon.
Colonoscopy
This test is similar to flexible sigmoidoscopy, except that the physician uses a thin, flexible, light but longer tube to find polyps or cancer of the rectum and colon. We have described what is needed.
Treatment of colorectal cancer
The methods of treatment for colorectal cancer will be determined after referral to a physician and careful examination by a specialist. The treatment may vary for each individual depending on the type and severity of the disease, but generally the treatment modalities considered These include colon cancer surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Converting a polyp to colon cancer
Most colon and rectal cancers form from a primary polyp in the gastrointestinal tract and usually take about 3-5 years to convert a polyp to colon cancer. Screening methods for colon and rectal cancers are very effective and early detection and treatment of these polyps will prevent the conversion of polyps to cancer.
Today, the community of colon and rectal surgeons divides the population of the population at risk for colon and rectal cancer into those at high risk and at high risk, and have defined screening programs appropriate to these individuals. In the section on screening for colon and rectal cancers, we have mentioned them fully.