Prevention of Colon Polyps and Cancer
The colon is the large intestine. It begins where the small intestine ends,
near the appendix inside the right lower abdomen. The colon
extends in a wide loop, up the right side of the abdomen to the liver, and
across to the left side of the abdomen where it turns down connecting finally
to the rectum. Its main function is to solidify stool by reabsorbing much of
the water
from the liquid stool that enters it. And, of course, it stores formed stool
until it can be evacuated through the rectum.
Polyps and Cancer
Polyps are growths that form on the inside lining of the colon. They are
usually shaped like mushrooms or dome like buttons, and vary in size from a
tiny pea to larger than a plum. While colon polyps start out as benign tumors,
certain types of polyps (called an adenoma or adenomatous polyp) may turn into
cancer. The risk is greater as the polyp gets larger. However, polyps are
rather slow growing. It may take five years or more for a polyp to reach 1/2
inch in size. If an adenomatous polyp does turn into cancer, it may take an
additional five to ten years, or more, to reach that stage.
Colon cancer is very common, occurring in over 150,000 people in the United
States each
year. More than 90% of the patients can be cured if the cancer is detected and
removed at an early stage.
Causes and Risks
The complete cause of polyp formation and colon cancer is unknown, but it is
known that heredity plays a key role.
A person whose parents, brothers or
sisters have colon cancer is at significantly greater risk of developing it.
There is also risk (but to a lesser degree) if uncles, aunts and grandparents
have had the disease.
The rate of colon cancer increases in people
after the age of fifty, as well as in people who have ulcerative
colitis for a long period of time. Also, females who have had genital or
breast cancer are at increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Prevention
Diet seems to be important in preventing colon cancer. Rural residents in
Africa and India rarely develop colon polyps or cancer. Their diets are high
in unprocessed grains ( the bran or fiber is not removed) and low in meat.
It appears that adopting a diet with less meat and at
least 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day could play an important role in reducing
the risk of developing polyps and colon cancer.
Summary
Each person is unique and should be evaluated by a physician for the treatment
of any medical condition or disease. In general, the following are important
actions to follow in helping to prevent development of colon polyps and cancer:
- Fiber - 20 to 30 grams a day in the diet and/or as supplements.
- Calcium - 1,000 to 1 ,500 mg of dietary calcium and/or as supplements.
- Aspirin - a possible benefit. Take one regular aspirin a day but check with
physician first.
- Colonoscopy - for those with close relatives who have had colon polyps or
cancer.
- Colon polyp removal - to prevent these polyps from becoming cancer.
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