Colon Cancer Essay -- essays research papers

Colon cancerWhat is the disease?Colon and rectal open firecer win in the digestive tract, which is also called the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract. The digestive system processes food for energy and rids the body of solid waste publication (fecal matter or stool). Colon cancer and rectal cancer down galore(postnominal) features in common. Sometimes they are referred to together as colorectal cancer. Over 95% of colorectal cancers are ad enocarcinomas. These are cancers of the glandular cells that line the inside of the colon and rectum. Other, less common type of tumors whitethorn also develop in the colon and rectum. Carcinoid tumors develop from hormone-producing cells of the intestine. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors develop in the connective tissue and muscle layers in the contend of the colon and rectum. Lymphomas are cancers of immune system cells that typically develop in lymph nodes scarce may also start in the colon and rectum or otherwise organs.Colorectal cancers are thought to develop slowly over a period of several years. Before a true cancer develops, at that place usually are precancerous changes in the lining of the colon or rectum. These changes might be dysplasia or adenomatous polyps. A polyp is a produce of tissue into the center of the colon or rectum. Some types of polyps (hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps) are not precancerous. However, having adenomatous polyps, also known as adenomas, does increase a or soones risk of developing cancer, especially if there are many polyps or they are large. In contrast to the inward growth of a polyp, a true cancer can grow inward toward the drudge fragment of the colon or rectum, and/or outward through and through the wall of these organs. If not treated, cells from the tumor may break away and spread through the bloodstream or lymph system to other parts of the body. There, they can resile "colony" tumors. This process is called metastasis.The colon has four sections . The first section is called the lift colon. It extends upward on the right side of the abdomen. The second section is called the thwartwise colon since it goes across the body to the left side. There it joins the third section, the go down colon, which continues downward on the left side. The fourth section is known as the sigmoid colon because of its S-shape. The sigmoid colon joins the rectum, which in turn joins the anus, or the opening where waste matter passes o... ...lon cancers develop from adenomatous polyps. Polyps are precancerous growths in the colon and rectum. Removing them can lower a persons risk by preventing some colorectal cancers before they are fully formed. Is fare a part of this cure?     People can lower their risk of developing colorectal cancer by managing the risk factors that they can control, such as diet and fleshly activity. It is important to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods and to learn intake of hig h-fat foods. Physical activity is another area that people can control. Even small amounts of exercise on a regular substructure can be helpful, at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. Also, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Some studies provoke that taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid or pteroylglutamic acid can lower colorectal cancer risk. Other studies suggest that change magnitude calcium intake via supplements or low-fat dairy products may lower risk. Studies of vitamin A, C, D, and E supplements have yielded conflicting results, and additional research is needed. Work CitedNational Cancer Institute, http//cancernet.nci.nih.gov/wyntk_pubs/colon.htm