The Best Way to Prevent Colorectal Cancer...

Most colorectal cancer is considered sporadic, meaning it occurs in people with no family history of the disease. So, we can blame a lot of things on our family, but usually colorectal cancer isn't one of them.

It is more likely to occur as people get older. In general, both men and women at average risk of colorectal cancer should begin screening tests at age 50.

Beginning at 50 years of age, persons at average risk for colorectal cancer should be screened with fecal occult blood testing annually and or flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, colonoscopy every 10 years or double-contrast barium enema every five to 10 years.

Testing stool samples for genetic alterations that occur in colorectal cancer cells may help doctors find evidence of cancer or precancerous polyps. In some patients, genetic testing can guide screening and may be cost-effective. Genetic testing should be considered, especially in large families with many at-risk members; in such situations, genotyping may be more cost-effective than repeated endoscopy.

Hereditary

Approximately 25% of cases are attributed to two types of colorectal cancers: familial and hereditary. Familial colorectal cancer accounts for about 20% of cases and hereditary colorectal cancer accounts for the remaining five percent. You should discuss beginning earlier screening if you have a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, a strong family history of either, a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. Genetic counseling and genetic testing for families who may have a hereditary form of colon cancer, such as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Liver

You might also have blood tests to check your liver function because colorectal cancer can spread to the liver. For example, if colon cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are colon cancer cells. Cancer cells can also break away and spread to other parts of the body (such as liver and lung) where new tumors form. The presence of tumor deposits in lymph nodes, for instance, is an indicator for a higher risk for the development of metastases to organs such as liver or lung.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast,and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these organs may also be called colorectal cancer. Cancer prevention is a lifelong process that begins in the home, and parents are in the best position to influence their children.

Screening

Since most colon polyps and early cancers are silent (produce no symptoms), it is important to do screening and surveillance for colon cancer in patients without symptoms or signs of the polyps or cancers. Screening tests are used to look for disease in people who do not have any symptoms. Although there are good colorectal cancer screening tests, not enough people have them done. The majority of colorectal cancers would likely have been avoided if the people had only undergone regular and appropriate screenings.

Symptoms

Most people with early colon cancer don't have symptoms. Symptoms can provide a clue that someone has colorectal cancer and anyone with serious or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms should see their doctor. Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort. With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.

Prevention of colorectal cancer

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. Some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer.

Although the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, it is possible to prevent many colon cancers with the following: diet and exercise. It is important to manage the risk factors you can control, such as diet and exercise.

Nevertheless, it appears that increasing the fiber content in the Western diet would be useful in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer. You can start today to train children in cancer prevention habits, remembering that it’s never too late to make healthy lifestyle changes for yourself as well.

Other measures that can aid in preventing or decreasing the risk of developing this cancer include the following:

1- A diet rich in fruits, vegetables,and whole grains and a limited intake of high-fat foods
2-Exercise ; moderate levels of activity,at least 30 minutes a day, for 5 or more days a week.
3-Intake of vitamins and calcium...
4- and, taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid can lower one's risk.

Diet

Parents can educate children at an early age about healthy food choices and a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Regular exercise and a healthy diet may be protective factors for some types of cancer. Some evidence suggests that the development of colorectal cancer may be associated with a diet that is high in fat and calories and low in foods with fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Most colorectal cancers should be preventable, through increased surveillance, improved lifestyle, and, probably, the use of dietary chemo preventative agents.

A person who has already had colorectal cancer is at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer a second time. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. In countries where the people have adopted western diets, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing.

Conclusion

Men and women develop colorectal cancer in almost equal numbers, despite a general misconception that colorectal cancer is a "man's" disease. The chance of curing colorectal cancer is only 10% if it is detected at an advanced stage. The best way to eliminate colorectal cancer is to prevent it from ever occurring. The best defense against the spread of colorectal cancer is regular screening.

Google+1