Main Causes or the Risk Factors of Colon Cancer - Essay Example

Colon Cancer Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 3 II. Main Causes or the Risk Factors of Colon Cancer …………………. 3 III. Screening Devices Used to Detect Colon Cancer ………………….. 5 IV. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….. 6 References ……………………………………………………………………… 7 - 10 Introduction Even though the trend of death rates related to colon and rectum cancer has been gradually declining between the years 1945 to 2006, the number of American people who are suffering from colon cancer remains high. (Jemal et al., 2007; Center for Disease and Prevention, 2006) In fact, colon cancer ranks the third highest in cancer mortality among the black and white Americans. (NCI, 2008) The estimated 2007 US colon cancer patient is roughly 112,340 or 55,290 men and 57,290 women. (American Cancer Society, 2007) In general, more 28,180 women have died from colon cancer as compared to 26,000 men. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006) American White with 66% have a higher colon cancer survival rate as compared with the African American with 54%. (National Cancer Institute, 2006) The main reason for selecting this topic is because my girlfriend’s father has a colon cancer. For this study, the researcher will conduct a literature research to determine the main causes of colon cancer. Eventually, the researcher will discuss the possible ways of screening the risk for colon cancer. Main Causes or the Risk Factors of Colon Cancer A person’s age, family history, personal medical history, diet, polyps or non-cancerous cells, ulcerative colitis, and lifestyle are the common risk factors related to the development of colon cancer. (NIH Senior Health, 2007; Zeller et al., 2006) Lifestyle and diet significantly triggers the possibility of developing colon cancer. In line with this matter, a past study shows that there is a significant relationship between the reduction of folate intake and the increase in alcohol consumption with the increase risk for colon cancer. (Giovannucci et al., 1995) This is because of the fact that folate acts as the regulator of oncogene and tumor suppressor gene expression through the DNA methylation. Aside from allowing causing a free radical damage to the colon cells, excessive alcohol consumption reduces the folate that is store in the human body. (Wheeler, 2003) Basically, eating too much red meat and animal fat combines with excessive smoking and alcohol consumption increases the risk of colon cancer. (Giovannucci & Brigham, 2001; Halvorsen et al., 1999) The study of Larsson et al. (2005) concluded that there is a strong relationship between a high consumption of red meat and the occurance of distal colon cancer. The problem with smoking is associated with the nicotine content of the cigarrettes. Nicotine has angiogenesis factors that could cause the blood vessels to develop a tumor which spreads all over the body. (Giovannucci & Brigham, 2001) Even though some studies may claim that excessive alcohol intake could lead to the formation of colon cancer, there is really no clear association between alcohol consumption and the development of colon cancer. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000) Eating too much fatty foods could lead to colon cancer because the liver creates more secondary bile or lithocholic acid – a kind of toxic compound that aids in the digestion of fats. (Halvorsen et al., 2000) In the process, lithocholic acid destroys the human DNA causing the cancer to develop. To prevent the lithocholic acid from causing the colon cancer, consumption of Vitamin D is highly recommended. (Makishima et al., 2002) Colon cancer is also very much associated with the consumption of too much refined carbohydrates which is commonly found in bread, pastas and meat. The study of de Deckere (1999) suggest that omega-3 fatty acids which is found in fish could help minimize the risk of developing colon cancer by minimizing the swelling in the body. The intake of whole grains also prevent colon cancer by removing foods and carcinogens from the colon faster. The problem with refined carbohydrates is the fact that it causes constipation and prolonged stay of food in the inner surface of the colon. (Giovannucci & Brigham, 2001) Colon cancer is also more common among the obese as compared to those people who have a normal weight. (Ford, 1999; Giacosa et al., 1999) Obese women who are taking estrogens during the stage of pre- and postmenopausal also increases the risk of colon cancer. (Slattery et al., 2003) In order to lessen the risk of colon cancer due to obesity, moderate levels of physical activity such as brisk walking for 3 to 4 hours a week is required. (Martinez et al., 1997) Screening Devices Used to Detect Colon Cancer Among the standard tests used in detecting colon cancer includes: (1) fecal occult blood test (FOBT); (2) sigmoidoscopy; (3) colonoscopy; and (4) barium enema. (Zeller, Lynm, & Glass, 2006) FOBT is a full colon examiation for colon cancer. (Fisher et al., 2006) Based on the study of Allison et al. (2007), the use of FOBT is good in testing for left-sided colorectal cancer. Even though that the use of a positive FOBT can be subobtimal (Ko, Dominitz & Nguyen, 2003), three studies were able to show that the use of FOBT screening could reduce the colon cancer morbidity by up to 15% to 33%. (Pignone et al., 2002) Sigmoidoscopy can be use to detect roughly 50% of the colon polyps. This screening method is cost effective, safe to use, and convenient since it does not use sedation and require the use of a Fleet enema for preparation. (Ransohoff, 2002; UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial Investigators, 2002) A study shows that the use of sigmoidoscopoy could reduce the mortality rate of rectosigmoid carcinoma by as much as 60% to 80%. (Pignone et al., 2002) The use of barium enema can detect mostly large polyps but not the polyps. In fact, the use of barium enema is less effective thatn colonoscopy when detecting both large and small polyps. (Rockey et al., 2005) In fact, the use of colonoscopy could significantly decrease the incidence of colon cancer in patients after removing the adenomatous polyps. (Rex et al., 2000) In some cases, genetic testing can also detect the risk of acquiring colon cancer. (Zeller, Lynm, & Glass, 2006) Conclusion Colon cancer is significantly caused by poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle. In some cases, genes could cause benign cancer cells to become active. The problem with colon cancer is the fact that it is difficult to discover the disease during its early stages due to the lack of symptoms suggesting the presence of the cancer. (Zeller, Lynm, & Glass, 2006) When colon cancer remains undetected until the advance stages, cancer cells would spread to other sensitive internal organs. When colon cancer is successfully detected, colorectal cancer care is treated with the use of chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. (Dominitz et al., 1998) References: Allison, J., Sadora, L., Levin, T., Tucker, J., & al., e. (2007). Screening for Colorectal Neoplasms with New Fecal Occult Blood Tests: Update on Performance Characteristics. Journal of National Cancer Institute , 99(19):1462 - 1470. American Cancer Society. (2007). 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