| Symptoms of colon cancer do not appear in all | | | | benign but left untreated for years they can |
| the patients when the disease is in an early | | | | transform in malign tumors. |
| stage but only after it has advanced in | | | | |
| gravity. This is why doctors recommend that | | | | There are several types of polyps: adenomas, |
| after a certain age people should ask for | | | | which can become cancerous but are easily |
| screenings regularly. | | | | removed during a colonoscopy; inflammatory |
| | | | polyps which appear after an ulcerative |
| Colorectal cancer can give a lot of symptoms | | | | colitis and can also become cancerous and |
| but they all match other diseases too like: | | | | hyperplasic polyps which rarely transform |
| inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, | | | | into cancer. |
| and irritable bowel syndrome. All these | | | | |
| diseases can be treated but they first must | | | | If the cancer passes to a next stage it can |
| be diagnosed in order to apply a right | | | | affect the local lymph nodes and then get |
| treatment. | | | | into the blood stream and affect other organs |
| | | | giving metastases. |
| Patients come at the hospital because they | | | | |
| are constipated, or have diarrhea for more | | | | The colorectal cancer can affect old people |
| than a week. Sometimes people observe that | | | | as well as young people but most of the cases |
| their stool is much thinner than before and | | | | are recorded at those aged over 50. There are |
| that it comes with blood. They might be | | | | several factors that increase the risk of |
| feeling abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating. | | | | developing colorectal cancer: those who have |
| Most of the patients loose a lot of weight in | | | | a family history of colon cancer or other |
| a short period of time and they feel that | | | | type of cancer is at risk; those who drink |
| they have not defecated sufficiently. | | | | alcohol and follow an improper diet can |
| | | | develop this disease. Also, people who suffer |
| Cancer determines cells to divide in an | | | | of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, |
| uncontrollable way. Generally the cells of | | | | diabetes, and familial adenomatous polyposis |
| the body divide only when needed, like when | | | | are exposed at a greater risk than others. |
| they grow old and other cells need to be | | | | There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal |
| produced in order to replace them or when | | | | cancer syndrome which also occurs in the same |
| they are in a small amount and the body needs | | | | family members but now people who are at risk |
| more of them. Because the cells are produced | | | | can be identified through genetic screening. |
| in an increased number, a mass of unknown | | | | |
| tissue will form, known as a tumor (this | | | | Those who have adopted western diets, are |
| tumor can be benign or malign). Doctors | | | | obese, are smoking and also follow a diet |
| believe that this type of cancer is | | | | that is rich in proteins and fats and low in |
| developing from polyps situated in the large | | | | fiber are at risk to develop colorectal |
| intestine. These polyps are considered to be | | | | cancer. |