Causes and Risk Factors of Colon Cancer

The cause of the Colon cancer is unknown. Diet and reduction in circulation time in the large intestine (flow front feces) that includes the causative factor. Appropriate precautionary instructions recommended by the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and other cancer organizations.

Risk factors for colon cancer:

• Age over 40 years.
• Blood in the stool.
• History of rectal polyps or colon polyps.
• Adematosa polyps or adenomas villus.
• Family history of colon cancer or polyposis in the family.
• History of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Diets high in fat, protein, meat and low in fiber.

Some groups recommend a diet that had the little animal fat and high in vegetables and fruits (eg Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists).

Foods to avoid:

• Red meat.
• Animal fats.
• Fatty foods.
• Meat and fish fried or grilled.
• Carbohydrates are filtered (example: the filtered juice)

Foods should be consumed:

• Fruits and vegetables, especially Craciferous Vegetables from the cabbage group (such as broccoli, brussels sprouts).
• Whole grain rice.
• Enough fluids, especially water.

Since most colon tumors produce adenomas, the main factors that endanger the colon, causing adenomas.

There are three types of colon adenomas: tubular, villous and tubulo villous. Although most colon cancers originate from adenomas, only 5% of all adenomas Colon became manigna, villous adenomas have a high potential to be manigna.

People who have had ucerative colitis or Crohn's disease also have a risk of Colon cancer. The addition of a risk at the beginning of a younger age and a higher level of involvement of the colon. Colon cancer risk would be 2/3 times greater if a family member suffering from the disease.

Tests and Investigations for Colon Cancer

Colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ located at the lower part of your digestive system. The organ has a key role in helping the body taking in nutrients, water, and minerals. It also helps in removing waste of the body in the form of stool.

Colon cancer is the growth of malignant tumor in the tissue of the colon (in the inner wall of the organ).

Colon cancer symptoms aggravate as the malignancy heads toward the later stage. The asymptomatic illness suddenly becomes filled with disturbing manifestations, particularly abdominal pain that is present even during the earlier stage of Colon cancer.

It is important to note that most of colon cancer cases start as small, noncancerous clumps of cells known as polyps. By time some of these polyps could become cancers.

Signs and Symptoms

• Slimmer size of feces
• Feeling of abdominal fullness or incomplete bowel emptying
• Abrupt weight reduction
• Abdominal flatulence
• Feeling of incomplete elimination of fecal matter or stool
• Feeling of need to throw up (nausea) and actual vomiting
• Bowel movement disturbances like loose bowel movement (diarrhea) or difficulty of passing hardened stool (constipation)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding manifested by bloody stool (melena or hematochezia)

Tests and Investigations for Colon Cancer

1. Endoscopy

Endoscopic examination needs to be done, either sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Typical picture of carcinoma or ulcer can be seen clearly on endoscopy, and to establish the diagnosis a biopsy is necessary.

2. Radiology

Radiological examination can be done include: breast and colon (barium enema).

Barium enema examination may be able to clarify the state of the tumor and identify its location. This test illustrates the possible existence of a deadlock on the contents of the stomach, where a reduction in tumor size in the lumen. Small wounds may not be identified by this test. Barium enema is generally done after sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.

Computer Tomography (CT) help clarify the broad masses and the presence of disease. Chest X-ray and liver scan may be able to find a place that is distant metastatic.

Chest examination is useful in addition to see whether there is metastasis to the lung cancer can also be used in preparation for surgery. In colon photo can be seen a filling defect in a place or a stricture.

3. Ultrasonography (USG).

This examination is useful for detecting the presence or absence of metastatic cancer in the lymph nodes in the abdomen and liver.

4. Histopathology

In addition to performing endoscopy, biopsy should be done in a few places for histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. Histopathological picture of colorectal carcinoma is adenocarcinoma, and differentiation of cells need to be determined.

5. Laboratory

There is no distinctive marker for colorectal carcinoma, however any patient who experienced bleeding needs to be checked Hb.

Tumor markers commonly used are CEA. CEA levels over 5 mg / ml is usually found already advanced colorectal carcinoma.

Based on research, the CEA can not be used for the early detection of colorectal carcinoma, because the titer was found more than 5 mg / ml only in one third of cases of stage III. Patients with mucous bloody bowel movements, stool should be examined in bacteriological against shigella and amoeba.

6. Scan (for example, MRI. CZ: gallium) and ultrasound:

Performed for diagnostic purposes, the identification of metastatic, and evaluation of response to treatment.

7. Biopsy (aspiration, excision, needle)

Done for the appeal and describe the diagnostic and treatment can be done through the bone marrow, skin, organs and so on.

8. Complete blood counts

With differential and platelets: Can indicate anemia, changes in red blood cells and white blood cells: platelets increases or decreases.

9. Chest X-ray:

Investigate metastatic or primary lung disease.

Colon Cancer Nursing Diagnosis

Most colon cancers originate from small, noncancerous (benign) tumors called adenomatous polyps that form on the inner walls of the large intestine. Some of these polyps may grow into malignant colon cancers over time if they are not removed during colonoscopy. Colon cancer cells will invade and damage healthy tissue that is near the tumor causing many complications.

Colon cancer is not necessarily the same as rectal cancer, but they often occur together in what is called colorectal cancer. Rectal cancer originates in the rectum, which is the last several inches of the large intestine, closest to the anus.

Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. It is common for people with colon cancer to experience no symptoms in the earliest stages of the disease. However, when the cancer grows, symptoms include:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Changes in stool consistency
• Narrow stools
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Pain, cramps, or gas in the abdomen
• Pain during bowel movements
• Continual urges to defecate
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Iron deficiency (anemia)

9 Nursing Diagnosis for Colon Cancer

1. Constipation related to obstructive lesions.
2. Acute Pain related to tissue compression secondary to obstruction.
3. Fatigue related to anemia and anorexia.
4. Imbalanced Nutrition, Less Than Body Requirements related to nausea and anorexia.
5. Risk for fluid volume deficit related to vomiting and dehydration
6. Anxiety related to cancer diagnosis and surgery planning
7. Knowledge Deficit: the diagnosis, surgical procedures, and self-care.
8. Impaired Skin Integrity related to surgical incision (abdominoperineal), stoma formation, and faecal contamination of the skin periostomal.
9. Disturbed body image related to colostomy.