Colon Cancer

Researchers identify a mechanism for the transformation of colon polyps

The causes underlying the development of certain types of common cancers have not yet been elucidated. In order to better determine the origin and the sequence of events responsible for the onset of colon cancer, the teams ...

Cancer created Dec 02, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Mistletoe as treatment for colon cancer?

(Medical Xpress)—Mistletoe has become an important symbol of Christmas but it also has the potential to play a vital role as an alternative therapy for Australian sufferers of colon cancer.

Cancer created Nov 30, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Diabetics with cancer dangerously ignore blood sugar

When people with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with cancer—a disease for which they are at higher risk—they ignore their diabetes care to focus on cancer treatment, according to new Northwestern Medicine® research. But ...

Diabetes created Nov 29, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists pair blood test and gene sequencing to detect cancer

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have combined the ability to detect cancer DNA in the blood with genome sequencing technology in a test that could be used to screen for cancers, monitor cancer patients ...

Cancer created Nov 28, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Analysis of conflicting fish oil studies finds that omega-3 fatty acids still matter

Literally hundreds of clinical trials, including some that have gained widespread attention, have been done on the possible benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of heart disease – producing conflicting results, ...

Health created Nov 28, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers report first success of targeted therapy in most common non-small cell lung cancer

A new study by an international team of investigators led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists is the first to demonstrate that chemotherapy and a new, targeted therapy work better in combination than chemotherapy alone ...

Cancer created Nov 28, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Colorful fruits, vegetables may be key to cancer-fighting diet

(HealthDay)—Many cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables are at their nutritional peak in the fall, and it's a good time to incorporate them into your diet, a nutritional expert advises.

Cancer created Nov 26, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

Vitamin D slows the progression of cells from premalignant to malignant states, keeping their proliferation in check

(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at McGill University have discovered a molecular basis for the potential cancer preventive effects of vitamin D. The team, led by McGill professors John White and David Goltzman, of ...

Cancer created Nov 23, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (11) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A grateful state: Gratitude is vital to well-being, research shows

Before we eat Thanksgiving dinner at my house, along with saying grace, each of the 20 or so people at the table takes a turn lighting a candle and expressing gratitude. The appreciation can be lighthearted - for mashed potatoes ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 22, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

An easier way to go: Making colonoscopy prep easier, more palatable

The most dreaded part of a colonoscopy is prepping for it. The day before the exam, patients often drink large amounts of a vile-tasting liquid, then it's off to the throne for the better part of the day and night.

Cancer created Nov 22, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

New drug overcomes resistance in patients with rare sarcoma

A new targeted drug demonstrated its ability to control metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor, an uncommon and life-threatening form of sarcoma, after the disease had become resistant to all existing therapies, report ...

Cancer created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A sip of resveratrol and a full p53: Ingredients for a successful cell death

Researchers at the Universidade Federal in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil have found that introduction of a normal copy of the p53 gene in p53-defective cancer cell lines makes these cells sensitive to the anti-tumor proprieties ...

Medical research created Nov 13, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists discover key process that allows colon cancer to metastasize

A team of 17 researchers, led by scientists Eduard Batlle and Elena Sancho in the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), have determined that the ability ...

Cancer created Nov 12, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Stem cell scientists discover potential way to expand cells for use with patients

Canadian and Italian stem cell researchers have discovered a new "master control gene" for human blood stem cells and found that manipulating its levels could potentially create a way to expand these cells for clinical use.

Medical research created Nov 08, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Starchy, high carbohydrate diet associated with recurrence of colon cancer

Colon cancer survivors whose diet is heavy in complex sugars and carbohydrate-rich foods are far more likely to have a recurrence of the disease than are patients who eat a better balance of foods, a new study by Dana-Farber ...

Cancer created Nov 07, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast


Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, rectum, or appendix. Symptoms typically include rectal bleeding and anemia which are sometimes associated with weight loss and changes in bowel habits.

Most colorectal cancer occurs due to lifestyle and increasing age with only a minority of cases associated with underlying genetic disorders. It typically starts in the lining of the bowel and if left untreated, can grow into the muscle layers underneath, and then through the bowel wall. Screening is effective at decreasing the chance of dying from colorectal cancer and is recommended starting at the age of 50 and continuing until a person is 75 years old. Localized bowel cancer is usually diagnosed through sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Cancers that are confined within the wall of the colon are often curable with surgery while cancer that has spread widely around the body is usually not curable and management then focuses on extending the person's life via chemotherapy and improving quality of life. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, but it is more common in developed countries. Around 60% of cases were diagnosed in the developed world. It is estimated that worldwide, in 2008, 1.23 million new cases of colorectal cancer were clinically diagnosed, and that it killed 608,000 people.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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