An Original Investigation on the Pathology of Colon Cancer - Research Proposal Example

Colon Cancer Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Colon Cancer Abstract: The topic of the research proposal at hand is colon cancer and the paper focuses on creating an original investigation on the pathology of colon cancer. This investigation tries to explore the possible reasons of the disease as well as a mechanism that can help in intervention, especially using drugs. The study is highly relevant in order to comprehend the grave threat that this disease poses. A lot of literature reviews and research studies have been considered, based on which the paper has been written. These findings have been anticipated in the wake of the problems the disease causes and the paper basically gives implications on how to counterattack these problems. Introduction - Definition and Causes: Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the “colon or the rectum” and takes a period of “ten to fifteen years” to develop (Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2013 p.1). The cancer is set in a primary state of being a “polyp,” which is a non cancerous extra “growth of tissue” that develops on the “lining of the colon or rectum” and later on becomes cancerous (p.2). The major factors that contribute to colorectal cancer are heredity, diet, physical inactivity, consumption of alcohol, smoking, obesity and so on. It can be hypothesized that heredity is the biggest factor that causes colorectal cancer. Since most characteristic traits are passed on from one generation to the other, it is also seen that certain genetic syndrome is also passed down in families, which germinates the seed of cancer in individuals. The objective of this paper is to provide solutions to those people who suffer from colon cancer as a result of their genes. Heredity and Intervention: Heredity is the most common element that leads to a serious disease such as colon cancer and various studies have proved that people with close relatives who suffer from this disease are likely to develop “2 to 3 times” the risk of suffering from cancer than people with “no family history” (p.9). The risk is seen to double in case there is more than one relative who is diagnosed with this cancer. Another alarming fact is that the patients who were once diagnosed with this cancer would possibly in the future develop other cancers despite the fact that the “first cancer was completely removed” (p.9). Since heredity cannot be changed, the only answer to this problem is intervention. Intervention can be accelerated by providing more screening facilities to people, which in turn would help in early detection of disease and thus, help to inculcate preventive measures. In the modern world, people’s lifestyles have a lot of influence on them succumbing to various diseases. In case of diseases such as colon cancer, it equally affects both males and females in the US with a lifetime risk of “5%” of “being diagnosed with” this disease (p.3). Heredity, thus, weaves its dark magic here by sparing no mercy for either men or women. As mentioned earlier, heredity colon cancer is caused due to genetic syndromes, the most common of which is the Lynch Syndrome that is responsible for “2% to 4% of all colorectal cancer cases” (p.9). People with Lynch Syndrome are most likely subject to a risk of “80% to 90%” of being diagnosed with colon cancer (p.9). Another genetic syndrome that plays a major part here is “Familial adenomatous polyposis,” which accounts for a lifetime risk of “100%” if there is no intervention (p.9). Therefore, intervention is greatly significant in order for man to stand a chance against the disease. Issuing “Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)” cards to patients so that they can test themselves at home, is one such intervention (p.13). “Mailed reminders” of due dates for screening also prove to be very effective along with facilitating “follow up screening,” “interventions aimed” to reduce risk of colon cancer by improving “diet and physical activity in minority populations” and conducting “research on new screening tests” as well as research on “mechanisms underlying the association” of heredity and risks of colon cancer (p.17, 21). Various research based studies have shown that “aspirin-like drugs, postmenopausal hormones, and calcium supplement” facilitate prevention of colon cancer to some extent (p.11). Experimental Design: The research basically aims to answer various questions regarding colon cancer, such as what the preventive measures are, what are the various screening tests that can help determine if one is susceptible to colon cancer, which test is the right choice for certain patients, which ethnic groups are more prone to hereditary colon cancer, are there any follow up tests required, all in relation with people suffering from heredity cancer affecting colon and rectum. As aforementioned, the aim of the paper is to provide solutions for people suffering from heredity colon cancer, thus, the experimental design focuses on answering the question of which ethnic groups are more prone to colon cancer and by how much percentage in terms of both males and females. The table considers the incidence and mortality rates among the ethnic groups based on a sample population of US. The table is as follows: “ Race/Ethnicity Incidence Rate (Men) Incidence Rate (Women) Mortality Rate (Men) Mortality Rate (Women) Non-Hispanic White 56.8 41.9 20.9 14.6 Non-Hispanic Black 68.3 51.6 30.5 21.0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 42.8 32.5 13.2 9.9 American Indian/Alaska Native 43.2 34.4 19.2 12.9 Hispanic/Latino 49.2 34.8 15.6 10.5 All persons 57.2 42.5 21.2 14.9 ” (p.3) The table reveals that the African American men as well as women are in the highest risk of suffering from colon cancer as their incidence rates are “20% higher” and mortality rates are “45% higher” as compared to others (p. 3). It can also be noted that “rates among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in Alaska are 102.6 (per 100,000), compared to 21.0 among AI/ANs residing in the Southwest” (p.3). Lab Procedures: 1. Preliminary Laboratory Testing: Once questions related to family history are asked to people, it is determined from the answers if they are likely to be subject to colon cancer and then they undergo preliminary lab testing. Here the tumor is tested for the content of MSI with “mismatch repair gene mutations” found in people’s colon cancers. MSI refers to “a gain or loss in the number of repeats in DNA in a tumor, compared to the number of repeats in the same region in non-tumor DNA from the same individual” (DNA Testing Strategies Aimed at Preventing Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer/HNPCC, n.d.). 2. DNA Testing: The different sequential DNA testing methods are “single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, and DHPLC” (DNA Testing Strategies Aimed at Preventing Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer/HNPCC, n.d.). DHPLC is a method that guarantees identification of “100 percent of mutations in a comparison of four methods” (DNA Testing Strategies Aimed at Preventing Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer/HNPCC, n.d.). 3. RNA based testing: Often at times certain DNA testing methods fail to provide accurate abnormalities in cells, and here RNA based testing is used by “synthesizing and sequencing complementary DNA (cDNA), representing the whole coding region” (DNA Testing Strategies Aimed at Preventing Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer/HNPCC, n.d.). This helps to find out mutated cells much easily. Conclusion: The paper at hand focuses on hereditary colorectal cancer affecting people in the US. This cancer is the “third leading cause of cancer death” seen in both males in females in the US, and was estimated to cause “49,380 deaths in 2011” (Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2013 p.3). Cancer that occurs in the colon is seen to be “72%,” whereas in the “rectum” it is seen to be “28%” (Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2013 p.3). Thus, the need to combat the fatal disease is gravely felt. The paper has explored various causes of colon cancer. It also makes an in depth analysis of the hereditary factors that cause the disease. It is understood that hereditary factors cannot be changed, thus the only way is to take preventive measures by undergoing regular screenings and tests. Once the individual is seen to be a likely cancer patient they will undergo the lab procedures mentioned in order to detect the mutated cells and get exact diagnosis. Then they can fight their battle against colon cancer with suggested treatments. Reference List Colorectal Cancer: Facts and Figures. 2011. American Cancer Society. Available at DNA Testing Strategies Aimed at Preventing Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer/HNPCC, n.d. Available at Read More