What Is Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in colon or rectum. It begins in the digestive system, called as gastrointestinal system. This is where the food is processed.

What are the symptoms of Colon Cancer?
With the screening the colon cancer should be detected and treatment in its early stages, when it is most curable.

There are no specific symptoms for colon cancer. However, the following symptoms may indicate possibly colon cancer:

• Diarrhea
• Blood in the stool
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and tenderness

What Causes Colon Cancer?

Doctors are certain that the Colon cancer is not contagious (spread of disease from one person to another). People are likely to develop colon cancer due to the factors that includes high intake of fat, a family history of colorectal cancer, presence of polyps in the large intestine, and chronic ulcerative colotis.

Genetics and colon cancer - A person’s genetic background could be one of the reasons for colon cancer. Even though family history of colon cancer is an important risk factor, majority of colon cancer have no family history of colon cancer. However, if chromosomes are damaged then it can result in genetics defects that lead to the formation of colon polyps and later colon cancer.

Ulcerative colitis and colon cancer – Chronic ulcerative colitis results inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. And the risk of colon cancer is much higher than average for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis of long duration. The risk of colon cancer increases significantly after 10 years of colitis.

Diet and colon cancer - Diet intake of high fat are believed to be cause of colon cancer. The higher the intake of high calories the more you develop the risk of getting infected by colon cancer.

How is Colon Cancer Diagnosed?
If people experience symptoms those similar to colorectal cancer, they need to see the doctor. The doctor will thoroughly examine you, which includes:

• Complete check on family, medical and drug history
• Examination, includes digital rectal examination

The possible tests that may be performed are:
Sigmoidoscopy – It is screening or diagnostic test for colon cancer. People over 50 years who have no symptoms may have to do this test to check any suspicious area inside colon. And those who have symptoms this test can help to determine the exact cause of the problems.

Colonoscopy – Colonoscopy is a diagnosed procedure during which the insides walls of the entire colon are examine thoroughly. Doctor uses an instrument called a colonoscopy, which is a flexible fiber optic tube that bends around with shape and turns of the colon. The colonoscopy is usually attached to a video camera and monitor. It is used to diagnose conditions of the bowel, including Crohn’s disease, polyps, and colon cancer.

Double Contrast Barium Enema (Barium Meal and Enema) - The double contrast barium enema, also known as air contrast barium enema, is a procedure that helps doctors diagnose colon cancer. Barium is a substance that shows up on x-ray films. This allows doctor to view the outline of the colon on x-ray films.

How is Colon Cancer treated?
The treatment for colon cancer has been improved steadily over a period of time. There are three available treatments for the people who are suffering from colon cancer.

Surgery – Surgery is an operation that involves removal of cancerous part of the colon. It acts as a primary treatment for colon cancer.

Chemotherapy – This treatment includes treatment with drugs that kills the cells, like cancer cells. This treatment is given to those with advanced cancers that have spread others parts of body, possibly outside colon.

Radiation therapy – Radiation therapy is a special kind of treatment, which uses radiation to destroy fast growing cancer cells.

Thus the colon cancer treatment is purely based on human factors such as age, sex and the history of disease within family. The people should continue to visit doctor, which can help in early detection and treatment of the cancer.