Do You Know What Causes Colon Cancer?

I am sure you have heard of colon cancer, but do you know what it is and do you know what causes it? Colon cancer - also known as colorectal cancer - is the unrestrained expansion of cancer cells on the inner lining of the colon. Now if you forget what a colon is (which is normal, since we all aren't medical students), it is simply the part of the large intestine that extracts moisture from one's digested food before it is excreted. A common ailment in Western societies, this type of cancer has taken the lives of many, resulting in broken distraught families.

Now let's take a closer look at what causes this terrible disease. Notably, we owe this knowledge to the biochemist Dr. Warburg who discovered the cause and prevention of this type of cancer. He states that plainly, colon cancer is caused by the lack of oxygen reaching the colon cells of the body. Developing later in this process are adenomatous polyps which also turn cancerous and in effect worsen the patient's health. These polyps are seen on the inner walls of the colon. In addition, there are ways in which the lack of a healthy lifestyle can also increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer, which usually affects both men and women before the age of 40 years. These include smoking, which is a serious risk factor as it not only affects the lungs of the body, but many other systems as well. Obesity is another risk factor due to the fact that having a low oxygen level is prevalent in persons who are overweight. It therefore stands to reason that if a person can maintain a balanced oxygen level suitable for a healthy body and mind, then they can also decrease their risk of having a cancerous colon. This should be supplemented with a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

There are also risk factors associated with genes. In essence, adenomatous polyposis syndromes often run in families, making it much easier for a descendent to develop a cancerous colon, especially in cases with a first-degree family member with this illness. These risk factors are propelled even further if more than one relative have had the battle with colon cancer, developing it at an early age. Once the presence of colon cancer has been diagnosed, there are important additional factors which may increase its impact on the human body. Colon cancer cells use sugar as a source of energy to survive within the body and if a lot of sugars are part of the diet, then it can only pose more health problems to the patient.

All in all, there is a bright side to this grim picture; colon cancer - even though it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Western world - is treatable, and more importantly, preventable. Even for those individuals who are at risk because of family history, they also can take preventative measures to decrease its chances of occurring. The best thing you can do is to always know your status, live a healthy lifestyle, and stay on top of your healthcare!

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with colon cancer, be sure to investigate colon cancer and surgery on our site. You may particularly be interested in laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer, a much less invasive procedure that is often used today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_J_Bruton

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