It is hard to believe, but March has arrived....This month marks the beginning of what is traditionally known across the nation as "Colon Cancer Awareness month." Do you or someone else have a concern in regards to Colon cancer? Do not worry as their are answers to help understand this disease. Colon cancer is essentially a cancer that emerges in the colon or rectum. It is sometimes called 'Colorectal cancer', depending on whether or not the cancer started in the colon or rectum. Cancer at a micro level is a process that occurs within the human body where a cell (s) start to grow abnormally. This can happen literally anywhere in the human body. Therefore, we must do our part as a society to stay informed with the latest information you can find here today. If you are a patient or non-patient, you may at some point ask yourself, "well, how does Colorectal Cancer begin?" According to the American Cancer Society, "most cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum." These growths are clinically known as Polyps. Some of these Polyps can have a tendency to mutate into a Cancer, but it is NOT always the case. To further break this down, it really depends on whether the Polyps is categorized as either a Adenomatous or Hyperplastic Polyp. If a polyp is detected as Adenomatous, then the likelihood of it being cancer is much greater. A hyperplastic polyp, on the other hand, is more common than the first type and is Non-cancerous in nature. Colon cancer spreads by growing INTO the wall of the colon or rectum over time. If left untreated, an Adenomatous polyp can turn into a blood/lymph vessel, which can cause the pre-cancer to spread to other parts of the body. At that stage, it becomes more challenging for a Physican to successfully cure. Getting screened is a good preventative step if you happen to be unsure of your Colorectal health and/or if the disease runs in your family and you want to take an extra precaution to lower your risk. The best word of advice I can give is: STAY HEALTHY! You can significantly reduce your risk of acquiring this disease with some practical changes in your overall lifestyle. This includes, eating smart to optimize your physical and immunological health, maintaining a fitness regimen that fits your needs, and not smoking. With these tips in mind, it may help minimize the risk of being diagnosed with this cancer.
You deserve to live your best life!