The colon is a long tube like structure that starts from the end of the bowel all the way to the rectum or the anus. When there is growth of cancer cells in the colon it causes colon cancer. Individuals in middle age are usually afflicted with colon cancer and women far outnumber the men.
The colon performs a number of vital functions like absorption of nutrients from the food, the removal of fluids from the faecal material and finally the storage and defecation of faecal material. When the colon is affected by cancer cells then these important functions are influenced which may result in a fatality. In addition, the cancer cells in the colon may spread to other organs when they remain undetected.
Symptoms of Colon cancer in women
Some of the symptoms of colon cancer are listed below:
- There may be rectal bleeding or the stool may be mixed with blood. There may also be rectal pain in rare cases of advanced colon cancer.
- There may be obstruction of the anus which may cause prevention of defecation.
- One may have constipation or regular bouts of diarrhea.
- Individuals will have constant fatigue and pale complexion of the skin and face.
- There may be no weight gain, but the belly may bulge out.
- Women may have a loss of appetite.
- Vomiting may be accompanied by chronic nausea.
- In rare cases there may be abdominal pain.
- One may lose weight without any known cause.
- One may have a feeling of incomplete evacuation of stool after a bowel movement.
- The frequency of bowel movements may change along with change in the character of faecal material. The stool may be narrow and small in structure.
Causes of Colon cancer
Some of the causes of Colon cancer are as follows:
- Colon cancer tends to run in families. Thus it has a strong genetic basis, but the gene responsible has not been identified.
- Women who have had a history of ovarian cancer, Crohn’s disease or breast cancer are at increased risk to get colon cancer.
- Other factors like obesity, smoking and an unhealthy diet that lacks the basic nutrients may lead to colon cancer.
Treatment of Colon cancer in women
Women who have the above symptoms must visit a doctor to diagnose the presence of colon cancer.
Colon cancer can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy or by chemotherapy. Surgery involves surgical removal of the rectal tumor caused by the cancer cells. Radiation therapy involves destroying the cancer cells with the help of precision rays of radiation. In chemotherapy, drugs that are designed to specifically kill the cancer cells are administered either orally or intravenously.
In most cases, surgery is usually performed after radiation therapy because the amount of tumor is substantially less and then the chances of cancer removal are greater.
It is essential for the patient to regularly follow up with the doctor after successful treatment of colon cancer to prevent any relapse. In addition, the women should always be on the lookout for the symptoms.
A healthy diet full of essential nutrients, fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, quitting smoking and a daily dose of aspirin will help prevent the return of colon cancer.
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