Is colon cancer a death sentence?
NO! Early stage colorectal cancer is a highly curable disease. As a matter of fact, over 85% of patients diagnosed with early stage colon cancer are cured.
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Where does colon cancer begin?
Colon cancer begins as small growths inside the colon, called polyps, which can be removed before they become cancerous.
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What can I do to prevent colon cancer?
Before pursing any change in your lifestyle, talk with your doctor. Here is a
short list of factors from the American Cancer Society that have been shown
to have a positive effect in preventing colon cancer:
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Have a screening test for colorectal cancer so growths (polyps) can be removed before becoming cancerous
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Reduce fat in your diet
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Receive adequate daily calcium, take a multi-vitamin, containing folic acid and magnesium
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Get enough exercise, at least 30 minutes daily
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How can colon cancer be detected?
An exam to detect early signs of colon
cancer, called a colonoscopy, is recommended for anyone over age 50. Some
high-risk groups should start earlier. This diagnostic examination of the colon
is done in the doctor’s office, with light sedation. Most patients don’t feel or
remember the examination. If test results are negative, the exam only needs to
be repeated every five to ten years.
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What are my chances of developing colon cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, not counting skin cancers,
colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women
in this country. Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer among deaths
caused by cancer. It is estimated that about 108,070 cases of colon cancer
and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer in 2008 will occur in the United States.
Combined they will cause about 49,960 deaths.
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Will I notice any symptoms if I have colon cancer?
Most people do not have any symptoms until colon cancer is in advanced
stages. That’s the reason early screening is so important. In later stages,
symptoms may include a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, fatigue,
weight loss, or abdominal pain.
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What causes colon cancer?
We don’t know any specific cause for colon cancer. Factors that place a person
at higher risk are obesity, high fat intake, low fiber diet, inflammatory diseases
of the bowel like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, advanced age, or family
history in a close relative.
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What are the treatments for colon cancer?
Surgery is the treatment for colon cancer. If caught in the early stages, this
is the only treatment needed and the patient resumes a normal life after the
surgical procedure.
For a patient with more advanced stages of colon cancer, chemotherapy after
surgery will improve the possibility of a cure. Many new treatment options for
advanced colon or colorectal cancer have been developed within the last five
to ten years. It is important to talk with your doctor about the best treatment
for each unique case.
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If you have more questions, e-mail Dr. Henry Xiong at
www.AskDrHenry.org or call 817.759.7000 for an appointment.
Click here to download the FAQ in PDF format.
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