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Early-stage colon cancer generally does not show any significant symptoms, so many people who fail to get an early diagnosis and the cancer may already be spread and late treated. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of colon cancer so that handling can be better and more effective.
What are the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?
In general, colon cancer symptoms may include one or more of the following conditions:
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or short feces, lasting for more than a few days
- The feeling that you have to defecate but does not get any relief thereafter
- The anus bleeds
- There is blood in the stool that can make it look dark
- Pain or abdominal cramps
- Weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss is not intentional
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The stage or severity of the cancer will determine what type of treatment the doctor will do. The following are three main types of treatment in cases of colon cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a way to kill cancer cells through the administration of a number of drugs. These medications may be tablets taken, infusion, or a combination of both. Some examples of colon cancer drugs are cetuximab and bevacizumab.
In cases of colon cancer, chemotherapy is usually performed before surgery with the aim of shrinking the tumor, relieving the symptoms felt by the patient, or slowing the spread of cancer. Chemotherapy can also be given postoperatively to prevent cancer from reappearing.
The timing of chemotherapy is usually divided into several cycles, depending on the severity of the cancer. Most patients with colon cancer usually undergo chemotherapy infusion sessions for several hours or days within two to three weeks. Each cycle of chemotherapy is separated by a break for several weeks in order for the patient to recover from the effects of chemotherapy. Some of the side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Nausea
- Gag
- Tired
- Feet and hands feel itchy or hot
- Sprue
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
Usually these side effects will disappear after chemotherapy treatment ends.
Radiotherapy
The goal of radiotherapy is the same as chemotherapy, which is to kill cancer cells. But on radiotherapy, treatment method is done by using radiation emission.
Before surgery, radiotherapy can be done to reduce the size of the tumor or relieve symptoms if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While radiotherapy is done postoperatively aims to prevent cancer so as not to return.
Some of the side effects of radiotherapy are:
- Become often water buzz
- Diarrhea
- Tired
- Nausea
- The skin around the anus or pelvis feels hot
There are two types of radiotherapy, including:
- External radiotherapy. In this method cancer cells are destroyed by emitting high-level radiation waves to cancer patients. Usually this therapy is done as much as five days a week, for one to five weeks. Each treatment session will take about ten to fifteen minutes.
- Internal radiotherapy. In this method of colon cancer will be depreciated by using a radioactive hose placed next to the cancer. Internal radiotherapy is usually performed as much as one session before surgery.
Operation
The type of colon cancer handling surgery performed depends on the severity of the spread of the cancer itself. If the diagnosed cancer is still in its early stages, surgery usually can be done through a colonoscopy to eliminate cancer growth. If not through a colonoscopy, it can be removed through a 'keyhole' or laparoscopic operation.
The second type of procedure is called colostomy surgery. This is done if the cancer has spread through the walls of the intestine. Through colostomy, the part of the large intestine that has been digerogoti by the cancer will be removed. In addition, the surrounding lymph nodes will also be removed.
If the patient's health condition is very bad due to the spread of cancer that has been severe, then the purpose of surgery is only to relieve symptoms of the patient. Combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, this step is expected to improve the patient's life chances.
Prevention of Colon Cancer
We can prevent colon cancer by applying a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of getting the disease. Among them are:
Routine exercise. It is recommended to regularly exercise for two and a half hours a week. The types of sports you can do for example are brisk walking or biking.
Eat healthy foods. To avoid the risk of colon cancer, eat fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, nuts, or cereals. Expand to consume fish and reduce meat consumption.
Quit smoking.
Reduce or avoid alcoholic beverages. In general, the recommended recommendation is no more than 2 units of alcohol per day. These two units of alcohol are simply equal to about 1.5 cans of beer or 1.5 glasses of wine. Keep in mind that each liquor has a different alcohol content, so the amount must be adjusted so as not to exceed the maximum limit per day.
In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, colon cancer can also be prevented or detected as early as possible by screening. This method of examination is highly recommended especially for those who have families with a history of colon cancer, as well as for people who have aged 50 years.
Life Opportunities of Colon Cancer Patients
The chances of a cured person will depend on how severely the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. It is estimated that about 80 percent of patients with colon cancer still have a chance to live at least one year after diagnosis. Even 40 percent of them still have a chance to live longer, at least for the next 10 years.
