I Found Out Too Late - Now I m in My 6th Year of Chemotherapy

In the late fall of 2002, my wife, two friends and I went on a vacation out east to the historical sites of Williamsburg and Jamestown. We had a wonderful time touring these great sites, took a lot of pictures and learned a lot about the founders of our nation. We rented a van and I drove from the St. Louis area and back. On the way home I could feel a pain in the left side of my stomach area and didn't think too much of it. Before Christmas I was beginning to have very sharp pains in that area and knew it was time that I needed to see my doctor. My family doctor took xrays and then suggested that I needed to have a colonoscopy.

Colon Disease - Cancer and Other Diseases of the Colon

People often think of the colon as simply an organ that rids the body of its waste. If not treated properly, the colon can develop problems and potentially diseases. These issues can make us uncomfortable, sick and can even be fatal if not treated right away. First, there is colorectal cancer- or cancer of the colon or rectum. This disease is the fourth most common cancer in both genders and is curable if treated in its earlier stages. Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include, but are not limited to, blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits, and discomfort in the abdomen.

How to Avert Colon Cancer

Unhygienic cologne makes a huge impact on human body. There are lots of supplementary diseases attached with it. People can also get attract to colon cancer which can be deadly if proper precautions are not carried out or performed. Colon cancer can be prevented if it is detected in its early stages. There are many medical treatments available for prevention of colon cancer for e.g. sigmoidoscopy and many others which are highly costly and every one cannot afford such medical expenses. Except medical treatment people can also practice many other things which can help to lower the hazard of colon cancer.

Can Colon Cancer Screening Save Your Life?

To help find cancers early colon cancer screening tests are used. Its better to find the cancers before they start to cause any warning signs. Early detection of colon cancer can make curing it more likely. You doctor will choose the type of colon cancer screening test you will have. This is a list of different types of colon cancer screening test you may be asked to take. Colonoscopy, this is one that most people have heard of: You will be given medication that will make you sleepy and relaxed. This colon cancer screening is usually not painful but may be a bit uncomfortable. A thin, flexible tube with a video camera attached it inserted into your rectum, the doctor will be able to view your whole colon.

Know the Signs of Colon Cancer, Now!

There are many digestive disorders that can show as sign of colon cancer. But just because it may be signs from other digestive disorders, does not mean you don't need to be checked. Some of these diseases are Crohns, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, and Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some of the signs of colon cancer that you want to watch out for are bloody stools, constipation, diarrhea, thin stools, weight loss, cramping or pain in the abdomen, bloating, and anemia. You may not even notice signs of colon cancer for years after it have begun to develop. You can begin to check for colon cancer very early by simple screenings for fecal blood.

Colon Cancer - The Family Connection

The general population may not be familiar with the term Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), but for those with a history of colon cancer in their families, the search for the symptoms of this genetic mutation is a routine part of any medical review. People with the classic form of FAP may begin to develop multiple benign polyps in the colon as early as their teenage years - hundreds or thousands of these growths is not uncommon in persons with FAP. Removal of at least part of the colon is necessary in such a circumstance, as these same polyps will eventually become malignant. If only a partial colectemy is performed, regular surveillance of the remaining portion of the colon is necessary as the individual still carries significant risk of developing colon cancer.

Are You At Risk For Colon Cancer?

If you're over 40 and have rectal bleeding, don't assume it's just a case of hemorrhoids. In the presence of other symptoms - such as a change in bowel habits, abdominal cramps or pain, unexplained anemia or weight loss - you could be suffering from colon cancer. Colon, colorectal, or bowel cancer are the terms used to describe cancer which strikes the colon, rectum, or both. These account for about 20 percent of deaths in the United States. Over a hundred thousand Americans have the disease and almost 50, 000 die from it yearly. What are your chances of developing colon cancer? The risk greatly increases after the age of 50, more so if you have a family history of the disease or a history of colon polyps or ulcerative colitis.

Screening Procedure For Colon Cancer

Another helpful technique in diagnosing colon cancer is the stool-guaiac test or occult stool blood test which helps the doctor detect blood in your stool that is invisible to the naked eye. You should have one annually after the age of 50. The results of this test will determine whether you need other screening procedures for colon cancer such as proctosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. What are these tongue-twisters? In the former, the doctor uses a flexible, lighted tube called a proctosigmoidoscope to examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum - the area where cancers are usually found.

Screening For Colo-Rectal Cancer

There are many reasons for not having screening of colon and rectal cancer. There are more important things to do, and things to quickly get out of the way. There are morning meetings to make, after-work meetings that grill us and the in-laws are visiting from the United Kingdom in the weekend. There are happier things to do: night out with the boys, going to the gym, running into the sunset, this much talked-about movie, Robbie Williams' World Tour, coaching your son's basketball, the list goes on. There is only one reason for screening of colon and rectal cancer: to enable you to do all these things above much longer.

Preventing Cancer And Cleansing The Colon

Colon cancer is the second largest cancer inducer that kills Americans. What we as people need is the information at our fingertips to know and understand what the leading source of sickness is and how it comes about. The colon is like the "sewer system" of the body. It is the organ that collects the waste that comes from the small intestine. What happens in the colon (also known as the large intestine) is that matter sticks to the side of colon. It is believed that polyps in the colon which are unusual growths in the colon can capture this waste and spread disease through out the body. A regular colonoscopy is recommended along with a natural non-medicinal colon cleansing program.