The Pulse

Welcome! The Pulse is an online health and wellness journal created to bring readers a comprehensive view into today's most important topics. We hope you enjoy The Pulse and that the informaton you find here will lead to a healthier life for you, your friends and family.

What is cancer of the colon and the rectum?

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. The colon and rectum are parts of the body's digestive system, which removes nutrients from food and stores waste until it passes out of the body. Together, the colon and rectum form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also called the large bowel). Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer. Cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these organs also may be called colorectal cancer.

Why should I be concerned about cancer of the colon and the rectum?

Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of women and men each year, and is most often found in people over the age of 50. Excluding skin cancer, it is the third most diagnosed cancer for women, following breast and lung cancers. And it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Colorectal cancer is often called a "silent" disease since symptoms don't always develop until it is difficult to cure. The good news is that you can help prevent colorectal cancer, and it is mostly curable when it is found early through regular screening tests.

Significance of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The number of new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States has been decreasing slightly, and the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer has been decreasing. The risk of colorectal cancer tends to increase after the age of 40.

Colorectal cancer prevention

Colorectal cancer can sometimes be associated with known risk factors for the disease. Many risk factors are modifiable though not all can be avoided.

Diet and Lifestyle:

Diet appears to be associated with colorectal cancer risk. Among populations that consume a diet high in fat, protein, calories, alcohol, and meat (both red and white) and low in calcium and folate, colorectal cancer is more likely to develop than among populations that consume a low-fat, high-fiber diet. One study has found that a diet low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables does not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence during a 3- to 4-year period. A diet high in saturated fat combined with a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. There is also evidence that smoking cigarettes may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Cancer Prevention

Doctors can not always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. However, scientists have studied general patterns of cancer in the population to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives may increase our chance of developing cancer.

Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor; anything that decreases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a protective factor. Some of the risk factors for cancer can be avoided, but many can not. For example, although you can choose to quit smoking, you can not choose which genes you have inherited from your parents. Both smoking and inheriting specific genes could be considered risk factors for certain kinds of cancer, but only smoking can be avoided. Prevention means avoiding the risk factors and increasing the protective factors that can be controlled so that the chance of developing cancer decreases.

Although many risk factors can be avoided, it is important to keep in mind that avoiding risk factors does not guarantee that you will not get cancer. Also, most people with a particular risk factor for cancer do not actually get the disease. Some people are more sensitive than others to factors that can cause cancer. Talk to your doctor about methods of preventing cancer that might be effective for you.

Get Tested! Do it for yourself, do it for your family.

Testing for early signs:

Colonoscopy (koh-luh-NAHskuh- pee) lets the physician look inside your entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine. The procedure is used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum. It is also used to diagnose the causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits. Colonoscopy enables the physician to see inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers, and bleeding.

EAT HEALTHY THIS MONTH. MARCH IS ALSO NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH.

Why should I try to have a healthy diet?
Having a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to help your overall health. Along with physical activity, your diet is the key factor that affects your weight. Having a healthy weight for your height is important. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems, arthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping), osteoarthritis, and some cancers. You can find out if you're overweight or obese by figuring out your body mass index (BMI). Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, whereas women with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. All adults (aged 18 years or older) who have a BMI of 25 or more are considered at risk for premature death and disability from being overweight or obese. These health risks increase as the BMI rises.

The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF) and its 54 collaborating partners kick-off the sixth annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM) campaign in March. The annual campaign, founded by the CRPF in 2000, has been successful raising awareness about this highly preventable disease. Today millions of Americans are learning about the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer—and lives are being saved.

Building Awareness One Buddy Bracelet At A Time. Building on the success of last year's Buddy Bracelet campaign, the popular blue wristbands are being distributed nationwide. They carry a simple message-

Wear it, Share it, Because You Care! The Buddy Bracelet encourages men and women to get screened for colorectal cancer. When they get screened, they receive a bracelet, then pass it on to someone else as a reminder for them to get screened, and so on, creating a chain reaction that is growing to reach thousands. In just two short years, the power of the bracelet is being felt all across the country.

Alternative Therapy for Cancer

Unlike conventional treatments for cancer, complementary and alternative therapies are often not covered by insurance companies. Patients should check with their insurance provider to find out about coverage for complementary and alternative therapies. Cancer patients considering complementary and alternative therapies should discuss this decision with their doctor or nurse, as they would any therapeutic approach, because some complementary and alternative therapies may interfere with their standard treatment or may be harmful when used with conventional treatment.

Understanding Prognosis and Cancer Statistics

Key Points
* A prognosis gives an idea of the likely course and outcome of a disease.
* Many factors affect a person’s prognosis, including the type, location, and stage of the disease, as well as the person’s age, general health, and response to treatment.

Topics Related to Colorectal Cancer

* Colorectal Cancer
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome
* Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
* Diarrhea
* Crohn's Disease
* Constipation
* Colonic Polyps     More...