Are The Cancer Symptoms of Cancer of Colon Bothering You? Firstcare Medicare Can Help You

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 16, 2010 -- Cancer of colon also called large bowel cancer is the 5th most common malignancy affecting US population and the third most common cause of cancer death in western world. The cancer of colon can affect the rectum, colon or the appendix and forms malignant mushroom shaped growths. The major cancer risk factors for colon carcinoma are
a. Family history
b. Familial adenomatous polyposis
c. Smoking
d. Alcohol
e. Diet
f. Inactivity
g. Human papilloma virus.
The cancer symptoms are
a. Constipation

b. Blood in feces (Danger sign if occurs in a male above 60 Years)
c. Black tarry stools
d. Abdominal distension
e. Metastatic symptoms
f. Weakness
g. Anemia
Colon cancer screening
As the colon cancer is so rampant in western world strict screening protocols have been devised so as to detect the cancer of colon in early stage.
For average risk individual: Person with no personal history of adenoma or colon cancer, no history of inflammatory bowel disease, no family history of colon cancer.
• Start screening at age 50, with colonoscopy.

• Repeat colonoscopy every 10 years (unless there are polyps or cancerous lesions, which would require more frequent screening).
Increased risk based on personal history of inflammatory bowel disease:
• 8-10 yrs after onset of symptoms should start screening with colonoscopy every 1-2 yrs
Increased risk based on positive family history: (Based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN, recommendations)
• First degree relative (parents, siblings, children) with Colon cancer at age 50-60 y
o begin colonoscopy screening at age 40 y
o repeat every 5-yrs
• First degree relative with colon cancer 60 yrs
o colonoscopy beginning at age 50 yrs

o repeat every 5-yrs
• Two related first degree relative with colon cancer at any age
o colonoscopy beginning at age 40 yrs or 10 yrs before earliest diagnosis of colon cancer
o repeat every 3-5 yrs depending on family history
• Two related second-degree relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles) with colon cancer at any age
o colonoscopy beginning at age 50yrs
o repeat every 5-yrs
• One second-degree relative or any third degree relatives (great-grand parents, nieces, nephews) with colon cancer
o Treat as average risk patient with colonoscopy preferred

• First degree relative with non-advanced adenoma
o Treat as average risk patient with colonoscopy preferred
(Source: http://www.oncolink.org)
Colon cancer diagnosis
The diagnosis of the colon cancer involves
a. Digital rectal examination
b. Colonoscopy and biopsy
c. Faecal occult blood examination
d. Sigmoidoscopy
e. CT-scan and MRI sca