Colon cancer is a deadly disease, affecting millions of people worldwide. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the colon or rectum. The stage at which the cancer gets discovered plays a crucial role in the prognosis.
It is why people with a higher risk factor of colon cancer are advised to get checked frequently either through screening or surgery.
Understanding Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the second most leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with millions of people losing their lives to this disease every year. The risk factors of colon cancer are varied, with some being genetic and others lifestyle-related.
The Role of Surgery in Colon Cancer Reduction
Surgery is the most known remedy for colon cancer. It involves the removal of abnormal or cancerous cells from the colon and sometimes, depending on the stage, involves removing a part of the colon.
30% Cancer Reduction with Surgery
Recent studies have indicated that surgery can contribute significantly to reducing the risk of colon cancer by almost 30%.
This reduction is attributed to the removal of abnormal cells from the colon or rectum, preventing cancer from spreading to healthy tissues.
How Surgery Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer
Surgery can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of colon cancer in the following ways:.
- Removal of polyps – Polyps are abnormal growths in the lining of the colon that can become cancerous over time. During a colonoscopy, if polyps are detected, surgery helps remove the polyps, minimizing the risk of cancer spread.
- Prevention of cancer spread – If colon cancer has not yet spread beyond the colon, surgery can be used to remove the cancerous tissue, minimizing the risk of cancer spread.
- Removing the entire colon – At the advanced stages of colon cancer, surgery may involve removing a part or the entire colon, thus reducing the risk of cancer spreading to other organs.
Additional Benefits of Surgery in Reducing Colon Cancer Risk
Aside from the direct reduction in colon cancer risk, surgery can provide other health benefits in reducing colon cancer risk:.
- Surgery can help diagnose colon cancer at its earliest stages when cancer is most treatable.
- Removing cancerous tissue reduces the risk of colon cancer-related symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and constipation.
- Colon cancer surgery can also reduce the risk of developing other cancers related to the disease, such as liver cancer.
Importance of Screening in Reducing Colon Cancer Risk
Screening is a well-known and widely used method in detecting colon cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection is key in finding cancer when it’s most treatable and before it spreads to other parts of the body.
Screening frequently can also help identify precancerous polyps, which can be removed through surgery, reducing the risk of cancer development entirely. Screening should commence as early as 45 years of age for people with high risk factors of colon cancer, such as family history. This frequency should continue until the person reaches the age of 75 years.
Risk Factors of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer affects people of any age and gender, but certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease. These include:.
- Older age- people over the age of 50 years have a higher likelihood of colon cancer development.
- Inflammatory bowel disease – Chronic inflammation of the colon lining increases the risk of developing colon cancer.
- A family history of colon cancer or people with a family member that has had colon cancer are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
- Lifestyle choices such as a diet high in processed foods, red meat, lack of exercise, and tobacco use are all risk factors of colon cancer.
Closing Thoughts
Surgery can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of colon cancer by 30%, alongside a host of other health benefits. While screening is advised for people with high risk factors of colon cancer, the role of surgery shouldn’t be downplayed.
It is essential to seek out medical advice when colon cancer symptoms arise and to get checked frequently, ensuring early detection of the disease.