Colorectal cancer is reported as the fourth most prevalent types of cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer typically results from the mutation of cells that originally make and release mucus and other liquids. These cells are likely to form polyps in the inner wall of the colon because of an excessive production or other functional degradation. Colorectal cancer gradually begins as polyps grow. Colon is the lower part of small intestine and plays an important role in the digestion of food. The colon absorbs the nutrients and stores waste matters after the food is delivered from the stomach and small intestine. There are various symptoms of colorectal cancer, including blood in the stool, a change of bowel movement, unexplained weight loss, and long-term fatigue. Those who often feel abdominally uncomfortable must pay much attention to body changes and have a test.
Three things to know when diagnosed with colorectal cancer
It is necessary to know the stage of cancer so that an appropriate treatment plan can be designed. Cancer patients are expected to receive therapy with reference to the cancer stage in the base of the fact that no therapy will continue posing threat to cancer cells. As cancer cells grow, they tend to either increase their ability of damage or gain resistance to drugs. When cancer changes from an early stage to an advanced one, more powerful therapy should be applied. Patients at different stage differ in their ability to bear the side effects of therapy while the body is destroyed and the conditions of the body become increasingly worse.
Be sure to know the side effects of the therapy after deciding the treatment plan. Tumor patients at the early stage are often treated with surgery, while advanced cancer is treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Surgery is likely to cause infection, while chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be followed by series of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, menstrual interruption, etc. Ablation is used to destroy tumor by placing a probe through the skin and into tumor directly. This therapy may cause side effects such as blood into chest cavity and abdomen, abdomen pain, and infection.
It is important to know whether an adjustment on the diet is required. The health of colon is closely related to what we eat. Since colon is responsible for absorbing nutrition and storing waste, either highly absorbable food or easily digestive food helps reduce the burden of the colon. Some food still contains the substance that promotes bowel movement and releases colon from the burden. Adversely, carcinogen will be absorbed by the colon when fried food is delivered to the body. A study shows that carcinogenic substance such as heterocyclic amines will be generated as food is fried with oil. Although green tea may counteract the side effect of carcinogen, fried food should definitely be avoided for patients with colon cancer.