HEALTHY REASONING: Looking For Colon Cancer

By Allan Jones
Pride Health Columnist

Our gut, or intestine, starts at the mouth and ends at our anus. The colon, which is prone to cancer, is a part of the large intestine and is about 6 feet long in an adult.

The large intestine is the main site for cancer development, and so it is recommended that by age 45 we should consider having a doctor view the inside of the large intestine. Colon or colorectal cancer screening, using the colonoscopy test, is recommended once every 5 to 10 years. Your doctor will be able to tell you the frequency based on your risks for developing the cancer.

Colon, colorectal or bowel cancer can be detected in the large intestine. This cancer is 90% preventable if detected early, seeing that the start of the cancer in a colon lining projection or polyp, can be stopped once the polyp is removed.

Some of the risk factors for colon or colorectal cancer are type 2 diabetes,  family history of the disease; personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease; age (as you get older the risk increases); a diet rich in red or processed meat; excessive drinking of alcohol; obesity; physical inactivity, smoking, previous cancer elsewhere in the body;

Signs of colon or colorectal cancer include: Detecting bleeding in and around the stool (it is very important to look at, and examine, your stool after each bowel movement); Have you experienced a change in your bowel habits? Are you more constipated? Do you have a loss of weight for unknown reason? Abdominal pain? Cramping? Bloating? Fatigue? Weakness? Straining to pass your stool? Narrowed stool? These are all signs of possible colon cancer, or some other problem, and requires a look inside your intestine. This can be achieved by doing a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a 20 minute procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). He or she uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope to look at the colon. A colonoscopy helps find polyps, ulcers, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected (biopsy) and abnormal growths can be taken out. The tissue samples collected is sent to a pathologist to check for cancer or precancerous growths in the colon or rectum. The colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube that ranges from 48 inches (122 cm) to 72 inches (183 cm) long. A small video camera is attached to the colonoscope so that your doctor can see inside the colon and take pictures or video of the large intestine (colon). The colonoscope can be used to look at the whole colon and the lower part of the small intestine. A test called sigmoidoscopy views only the rectum and the lower part of the colon. A colonoscopy is recommended once every 5 to 10 years. Your doctor will be able to tell you the frequency based on your risks for developing the cancer.

Before doing a colonoscopy, you will need to clean out your colon by a process called a colon prep. The prep takes 1 to 2 days, depending on which type of prep your doctor recommends. Some preps may be taken the evening before the test. For many people, the prep for a colonoscopy is more difficult than the actual test. Plan to stay home during your prep time since you will need to use the bathroom often. The colon prep causes loose, frequent stools and diarrhea so that your colon will be empty and clean for the test. The colon prep may be uncomfortable and you may feel hungry on the clear liquid diet. If you need to drink a special solution as part of your prep, be sure to have clear fruit juices or soft drinks to drink after the prep because the solution tastes salty.

Colonoscopy is one of a number of tests that may be used to screen for colon cancer. Another test, the faecal occult blood (FOB) test, detects small amounts of blood in your faeces which you would not normally see or be aware of. Another process, a barium enema, is a way to detect colon or colorectal cancer. It involves taking X-rays of the colon and the rectum after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky liquid containing barium. The barium outlines the large intestines on the X-rays. Tumors and other abnormalities appear as dark areas. Which screening test you choose depends on your risk, your preference, and your doctor. Talk to your doctor about what puts you at risk and what test is best for you.

A recommended diet for good colon health should include antioxidants, folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, high fibre and low fat. Aim for a diet without processed foods, but rich in unprocessed fresh food.

The ability to conquer colon or colorectal cancer is in your hands; make the move today to live a healthy and fulfilling life. 

Allan Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be heard on “Allan Bucka Jones LIVE”, Sundays from 3 to 5pm on CHRY 105.5 FM, www.chry.fm , Rogers Digital Cable 945, Bell Fibe 973 or mobile app TuneIn.com . You can contact Allan Jones at ajones@jjmedical.ca.