What Is Cancer of the Colon

Irregular bowel movements indicate that something is wrong. Treatments include traditional chemo and the new ablation therapies. Extensive surgery is the major treatment for colon cancer at stage 4.

To understand what is tumor in your bowel or rectum, let's start with the basics such as what the bowel is.

The bowel is part of your digestive system. It is a long, muscular tube where waste materials are stored. At its end and beside the anus is your rectum. A tumor can also develop from rectal polyps. That’s why the disease is also called as colorectal tumor.

Prevention of the disease is a must because worldwide, it is now the third leading cause of death. It is the third leading type in men and the 4th leading type in women in the United States.

It is very common in the Western world and quite rare in Asia and Africa. But there are Asian countries where the incidence of cancer of the colon is going up. For example, the people in my country (the Philippines) are already eating the Western type of diet more. Fast food chains serving burgers, french fries and fried chicken have sprouted left and right in the cities. Today, cancer of the colon is the 5th type most common in men and the 7th most common in women especially those above 50 years of age.

What are its early symptoms and signs?

At the early stage, it does not give you symptoms or signs. However, vital local signs involve your bowel habits.

Any unusual change in your bowel movement that persists over a period of time is a reason for you to see a doctor. It might not be a tumor. It might just be polyps in your bowel or rectum.

What causes tumor in your bowel?

There are many causes. Some are out of your control such as aging and inherited genes. Most are factors you can avoid such as the type of foods that you eat. Unhealthy acidic foods like burgers are risk factors. This is the reason why it is smart to cleanse your bowel every now and then.

See What is Colon Cleansing.

Presence of precancerous colorectal polyps are also one of the causes.

See What Causes Colon Cancer.

What are the stages of a bowel tumor?

It is a solid tumor and just like any other type of solid tumor, TNM staging is used to assess the extent of the disease and the appropriate treatment. Staging involves 5 stages - Stage 0 to 4.

See info on Colon Cancer Staging: What It Tells You.

What are the available treatments?

Treatment options are based on the stage and location of the tumor and how healthy you are. Types of treatment can be traditional such as surgery, chemo or radiation and alternative such as ablation or targeted therapies.

See details on different treatments for colon cancer.

How can you prevent tumor in your bowel?

First of all, check your plate. Remember that you are what you eat. If it contains foods that are high in fat like red meat, change to a healthier diet. Opt for more vegetables, fruits and fiber rich foods such as flax seeds.

Do you know . . . Prevention against constipation and polyps is one of the health benefits of flax seeds. Just add ground flaxseeds to your dishes!

It is also recommended that you detoxify your body. You can do this naturally by taking Ganoderma extract supplements.

Another prevention tip is be physically active. Get moving so you'll not gain weight because being overweight makes you more prone to the disease. See Other Ways to Prevent Cancer of the Colon.