What is the cause of the occurrence of colon cancer?

Written by: Dr. Ramón Díaz Conradi
Published: | Updated: 18/02/2019
Edited by: Top Doctors®

Currently we found several genetic factors that may increase the occurrence of colon cancer, but it is not clear exactly how these factors can cause this cancer.

Cancer is caused by changes in genes that are our cells, these genes are passed from parents to children.

Some genes help control when our cells grow, divide into new cells and die; Oncogenes are those that help cells to stay alive and tumor suppressor genes are those that cause cells to die at the right time. Any defect in these genes cause serious at the origin of colorectal cancer.

Defects in these genes are inherited, so the importance of testing to prevent or detect colorectal cancer in those families who have this disease in any of its members.

But in most cases of colorectal cancer, changes in the genes that lead to cancer are acquired during a person 's life rather than having been inherited. There are risk factors (diet, tabaco..etc) that likely play a role in causing these acquired mutations, but so far what causes most of these mutations is unknown.

parts of the digestive tract

Risk factors for colon cancer

  • Age. The risk of developing colorectal cancer and increases with age.
  • Sex. Men have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than women. • family and hereditary history.
  • Intestinal diseases such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, colorectal adenomatous polyps) require closer monitoring of patients, the same happens in those patient who have had a certain type of cancer such as ovarian-uterine
  • Race. The blacks have the highest rates of sporadic colorectal cancer or hereditary.
  • Physical inactivity and obesity. Those who are obese or have a very low physical activity are more likely.
  • Feeding. A varied diet with fiber reduces irrigation and heavy consumption of red meat increases it.
  • Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

 

How Colon Cancer manifest itself?

Keep in mind that the symptoms and signs of colorectal cancer are the same as presented in other extremely common non - cancerous diseases, such as hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. However, many people with colorectal cancer have no symptoms until the disease is advanced, people with colorectal cancer may experience the following symptoms or signs.

  • Diarrhea or constipation: a feeling of not evacuating properly.
  • Intense or very dark red blood in the stool intense.
  • Stool more liquid than normal.
  • Discomfort in the abdomen as strong and recuentes pain, gas, fullness and cramping.
  • Weight loss for no apparent reason.
  • Constant tiredness or fatigue.
  • Iron deficiency anemia without apparent reason, ie, low red blood cells.

 

Colon Cancer Prevention

The only way to prevent colorectal cancer is to catch it early by testing for early diagnosis, but some of these still pose a high risk, so they should be indicated by the doctor or specialist of General Surgery when they consider it appropriate in view of the risk factors already mentioned above.

Is not only essential to lead a healthy life in the exercise, weight and power, but also influence other factors that only your doctor or specialist can detect in each patient and recommend the most progressive routines.

*Translated with Google translator. We apologize for any imperfection

By Dr. Ramón Díaz Conradi
Surgery

*Translated with Google translator. We apologize for any imperfection

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