Colon Cancer

This type of cancer starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). This cancer results from the uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum, or in the appendix.

Signs and Symptoms

The following symptoms may indicate colon cancer:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Blood in the stool
• Diarrhea
• Narrow stools
• Weight loss with no reason

Causes

You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you:

• Are older than 60
• Eat a diet high in red or processed meats
• Have cancer elsewhere in the body
• Have Inflammatory bowel disease
• Have a family history of colon cancer
• Have a personal history of breast cancer

Treatment

The treatment of colon cancer depends on several factors including the stage of the cancer:

• Surgery (most often a colectomy) to remove cancer cells
• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue