Colon cancer is one of the tumors of the digestive system that affect the colon, and it is the third most common type of cancer. In most cases, colon cancer begins as a small mass of non-cancerous cells called polyps. Over time, the polyps that form develop into cancerous masses in the colon.
It is worth noting that the colon is the last part of the large intestine in the digestive system, and colon cancer is often associated with rectal cancer, a condition known as colorectal cancer.
You may have a family history of colon cancer, as colon cancer in family members increases your risk.
Some conditions associated with colorectal cancer, such as ulcerative colitis and hepatitis, may increase your risk.
Aging increases the risk of colon cancer.
Smoking is believed to increase the risk of this disease.
Prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity can increase the risk.
If you have a history of colon polyps or cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing colon cancer in the future.
f a diagnosis of colon cancer is confirmed, your doctor will perform several tests to assess the extent of the disease or the extent of the cancer's spread. Generally, the stages of colon cancer include:
Stage 0 indicates that the tumor is still in its early stages and has not spread beyond the inner lining of the colon.
Stage 1: The tumor has spread beyond the lining of the colon, but has not yet spread beyond the colon or rectum wall.
Stage 2 means that the cancer has already spread and penetrated the colon and rectum wall.
In stage 3, the tumor is metastatic. The cancer has grown and spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it hasn't yet affected other organs in the body.
The fourth and final stage means the cancer has grown and spread widely throughout the body, and has spread to other organs such as the liver, lungs, or the lining of the abdomen.
If a colon cancer diagnosis is confirmed, the specialist doctor will perform several tests to assess the severity of the disease or the extent of the cancer's spread. Generally, the stages of colon cancer include:
If symptoms and signs of colon cancer are present, advanced diagnostic methods must be used to confirm or rule out the presence of cancer. Generally, diagnostic methods include:
There are some methods that can prevent colon cancer. While we note that there is no 100% guaranteed method for preventing colon cancer, following these guidelines can reduce the risk of developing it. The most important of these include:
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