Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Precautions and Cure
Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Precautions and Cure
Many people do not know they’re at risk for colon cancer, but if you know these signs and symptoms, you can be sure to spot the disease early. In this blog post, you’ll find out the symptoms, how to avoid colon cancer or treat it once it’s already begun, and the proper colon cancer treatment in Mumbai.
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops from the cells that line the colon (large intestine). It is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer death. Colon cancer is usually found in people over 50 years old, but it can also occur in younger people.
Risk Factors for Colon Cancer
There are many risk factors for colon cancer, but the most important ones are diet and lifestyle. People who eat processed foods, red meat, and sugar are at a higher risk of developing the disease. They also tend to have a high intake of calories and unhealthy fats. In addition, people who smoke cigarettes or use other forms of tobacco are also at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Other risk factors for colon cancer include age, family history, and race. The likelihood of developing the disease increases with each year that a person lives. African Americans are particularly susceptible to the disease probably because they tend to have a lower rate of colorectal cancer screening than whites.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
One of the most common cancers in the United States, colon cancer is diagnosed in nearly 50,000 people yearly. While it is typically a slow-growing tumour, there are a number of symptoms that may signal that you have colon cancer.
Abdominal pain or discomfort: This is one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer, as tumours can block the normal flow of digestive juices and lead to serious pain.
Constipation or diarrhoea often indicate: that cancer has spread to your colon and obstructs your bowel movements.
Blood in your urine or stools: If you notice blood in your urine or stools, this could signify that cancer has spread to your bladder or rectum, respectively.
Weight loss: If you start losing weight rapidly or have trouble maintaining your weight despite eating normally, this could be a sign of colon cancer.
A change in your bowel habits: If you experience any unusual changes, such as frequent diarrhoea or constipation, this may be a sign of colon cancer.
Precautions for Colon Cancer
Here are some tips to help you reduce your risk of getting colon cancer:
Don’t smoke: Smoking can increase your risk of colon cancer by up to 90%.
Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Exercise regularly: Exercise helps reduce stress, leading to weight gain and other health problems.
Avoid environmental toxins: Exposure to toxins such as tobacco smoke, pesticides, and heavy metals can increase your risk of colon cancer.
Regular screening: If you fall into the high risk category, it is advisable to have a screening colonoscopy on regular basis.
Treatments for Colon Cancer
There are many different treatments available for colon cancer, but some of the most common are:
Surgery: This is usually done to remove the tumour or part of the tumour.
Chemotherapy: This treatment involves giving patients drugs that kill cancer cells. It can be given as a single treatment or multiple doses over time.
Radiotherapy: This type of treatment uses high-energy beams to destroy tumours.
Hormonal therapy: This type of treatment uses hormones to stop or slow the growth of tumours.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a safe and successful colon cancer treatment in Mumbai, contact Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Centre in Mumbai. Our surgeons have years of experience performing laparoscopic surgery, which is now the standard method of surgery for this condition. This minimally invasive approach allows us to remove the entire tumour without making a large cut on the abdomen. This results in a much lower risk of complications and a shorter recovery time. It also leads to less pain.
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About Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker
Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is a Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgeon with experience of over 15 years. She is an alumnus of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram. Incidentally, she was the first lady in more than 20 years to take up surgery as a specialization in her institute. Women in surgery constitute less than 5% of the total number of surgeons in India and have to face a lot of prejudices. However, she considers herself to be blessed to have been trained by the best teachers and most supportive colleagues… Read more