Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. With early diagnosis and treatment, patients can often beat colon cancer and live a long, normal life.

The actual cause of colon cancer is not known. What is known is that the cancer starts in the glands found in the lining of the colon and rectum. They usually begin as benign (non-cancerous) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer.

Certain segments of the population are at a higher risk of getting colon cancer, including people older than 60, those with a diet that is high in red/processed meat, African Americans and those of European descent, those who have had cancer elsewhere, sufferers of inflammatory bowel disease, and those with a family history of colon cancer.

In many cases you’ll experience no noticeable signs of colon cancer. In cases where symptoms are present, they can include abdominal pain, tenderness in the lower abdomen, bloody stool, a change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, etc.), unexplained anemia and unexpected weight loss.

If you suspect you have colon cancer, your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. However, colon cancer usually requires more detailed testing to confirm the diagnosis. This can include a fecal occult blood test to see if there are any small amounts of blood in the stool. Your doctor may also perform a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to examine the colon region. Finally, you may need to have a complete blood count done as well as tests to assess liver function.

If colon cancer is confirmed, a CT or MRI will help determine its staging. The stage will determine the course of treatment.

If you're interested in learning more about colon cancer surgery options, please make an appointment today.