Most of the time, we go about our lives giving little thought to the idea that we may be setting ourselves up for colon cancer down the line. We do just what what we want, even if that includes things we shouldn’t be doing — we don't drink enough water or eat the right food.
Can colon cancer really be prevented?
Approximately 70 percent of diagnosed colon cancer cases could have been prevented with only moderate changes in diet and lifestyle. There are theories suggested by some experts that insulin resistance can contribute to the development of colon cancer.
This condition is characterized by a circulation of higher levels of insulin, because the body is less responsive to it. Insulin seems to change cell processes in ways that promote the development of cancer. This condition is most common in overweight people; obviously, a proper diet is essential for colon cancer prevention.
Symptoms of colon cancer
A patient with colon cancer is often be asymptomatic, which is why it is often hard to tell if colon cancer is present or not. This is one reason why most experts recommend periodic screenings. This type of testing includes fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy. Even when symptoms do occur, they depend on the site of the lesion.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Tarry stools (a condition called melena)
- Reduction in diameter of feces
- A change in bowel habits
- A change in frequency (constipation and/or diarrhea),
- A change in the quality of stools
- A change in the consistency of stools
- Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
- A feeling of incomplete defecation (called tenesmus)
- Stools with visible mucus
- Bowel obstruction
Risk factors for colon cancer
The risk factors for colon cancer are as follows:
Age: Older people, specifically those over the age of 50, are more likely to get colon cancer. Of course, it can also occur in younger people, though this happens less often.
Diet: Studies have shown that a diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber can contribute to the development of colon cancer. An appropriate diet is the key to colon cancer prevention.
Polyps: A colon polyp is a benign growth on the wall of the colon or rectum. Although not all polyps can turn into cancer, certain types can increase the risk of colon cancer.
Family history: Colon cancer is of a hereditary nature. A person whose parent or child has had colon cancer is at an increased risk.
Ulcerative colitis and IBD: People with longstanding ulcerative colitis or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) are at increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Treatment of colon cancer
Surgery
Surgery is the most effective treatment option for colon in many cases. There are several types:
Curative surgery is best done very early, while the cancer is still within a polyp. An operation of removal is called a polypectomy. A case of colon cancer that has spread beyond the binderies of a polyp requires surgical removal of the section of colon containing the tumor with sufficient margins, and radical resection of local lymph nodes to reduce local recurrence.
Palliative, or “non-curative” surgery is usually done in the case of multiple metastases (meaning the cancer has spread beyond its point of origin), when a resection of the primary tumor is the only choice in order to reduce further morbidity caused by tumor bleeding, invasion, and its catabolic effect.
Bypass Surgery or fecal diversion: In cases when the tumor has invaded nearby vital structures, surgeons may prefer to bypass the tumor because the metastases make excision technically difficult or even completely impossible.
Chemotherapy
Although surgery is the most effective type of colon cancer treatment, chemotherapy can also be extremely helpful. It is used to reduce the risk of metastasis developing, shrink tumor size, or to slow tumor growth.
Chemotherapy is sometimes done before and sometimes after surgery. We can divide it into several types:
- after surgery (adjuvant)
- before surgery (neo-adjuvant
- as the primary therapy if surgery is not indicated (palliative)
Some of the most commonly used medications in chemotherapy for colon cancer and, which have also been approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration are:
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or Capecitabine
- Leucovorin (LV, Folinic Acid)
- Irinotecan (Camptosar®)
- Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®)
- Bevacizumab (Avastin®)
- Cetuximab (Erbitux®)
- Panitumumab (Vectibix)
- Bortezomib (Velcade®)
- Oblimersen (Genasense®, G3139)
- Gefitinib and Erlotinib (Tarceva®)
- Topotecan (Hycamtin®)
Radiation therapy
Radiotherapy is not used routinely in colon cancer, as it could lead to radiation enteritis, and is difficult to target specific portions of the colon. It is more common for radiation to be used in rectal cancer, since the rectum does not move as much as the colon and is thus easier to target.
Prevention of colon cancer – nutrition and lifestyle change
Screening for colon cancer is a very important prevention factor. Some colon cancers develop from benign polyps, which is why discovering these polyps early, with several methods such as sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy available, may help prevent colon cancer. Not only that; studies have shown that if traces of colon cancer are found early, it is one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer.
Dietary changes
Some simple dietary changes might be helpful in lowering the risk of developing colon cancer.
Some of the most common advices are:
- Lower your intake of fat
- Lower your intake of calories
- Lower your meat and alcohol consumption
Also, a sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet high in saturated fats can contribute to colon cancer risk.
A diet low in fat and high in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and legumes (beans, peas) may reduce the occurrence of some types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.
Fibers, the miracle food
Eating food that contains an adequate amount of fibers (wheat bran or whole wheat) is the most important component of a healthy-lifestyle program, which could aid in prevention of colorectal cancer. A daily intake for adults should be at least 25 grams total fiber.
Fibers help move waste through our digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don’t have much contact with the lining of the intestine. Also, high-fiber food is rich in phytonutrients, which protect against several forms of cancer.
Lifestyle changes
To prevent not only colon cancer, but rather all other types of cancer and several other diseases, one should make certain lifestyle changes: smoking cessation, Aspirin use, decreased alcohol use, regular exercise, and dietary supplements. This will reduce morbidity from all possible disease and medical conditions and lead to a healthier life.
Some practical advices:
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Take Aspirin
- Get five servings of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains a day for fiber, calcium and folic acid
- Avoid alcohol
- Limit red meat and saturated fat
- Exercise five days a week for at least half an hour
As we’ve already mentioned several times, these dietary and lifestyle changes also have a beneficial effect against other cancers and non-cancerous diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.