Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine. The colon is the largest part of the large intestine, and is responsible for the final process of digesting food. When colon cancer occurs, a group of cells in the colon forms a polyp that becomes cancerous. Not all polyps will become cancerous, but those that do form colon cancer.
While anyone can develop colon cancer at any age, certain factors can increase a person’s risk of developing colon cancer.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
- Age. The older a person is, the more likely they are to develop colon cancer. The general age to start actively screening for colon cancer has been 50, but in recent years, more and more younger people have been developing colon cancer, so many doctors recommend earlier screening, especially if your loved one has other risk factors as well.
- Family history. If someone else in the family has had colon cancer, it’ll increase your loved one’s risk.
- Race. Black Americans are at a higher risk of getting colon cancer.
- Diseases that affect the bowels can increase the risk. Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis can damage the colon, putting it at more risk.
- Eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet. It is also more common in those who eat a lot of red meat and processed meat.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Not getting regular exercise can increase the risk of the disease.
- Obesity. Obesity increases the risk of colon cancer, as well as the risk of dying from it.
- Smoking tobacco and drinking excessive alcohol can both increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
At the early stages, there aren’t many symptoms of colon cancer, so it often goes undetected without regular screening. As the cancer grows and spreads, the symptoms will be determined by where it is located. Some symptoms can include:
- Persistent belly discomfort such as cramps, bloating, or pain.
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding.
- A change in bowel movement habits, such as having consistent diarrhea or becoming constipated more often.
- A feeling that the person can’t empty their bowels when going to the bathroom.
- Weight loss without trying.
- Feeling fatigued and worn out all of the time.
Changes Your Loved One Can Make to Reduce His Risk
If your loved one has any of the risk factors, some are directly related to lifestyle choices, so making adjustments in those areas can help your loved one reduce his risk. This is especially important if he has risk factors that he cannot change, such as his race or a family history of colon cancer.
Changes can be tough, especially at an older age, so it can help to provide support for any lifestyle changes. Having a senior home care provider who helps with preparing healthier meals is one way to support your loved one. A senior home care provider can assist your loved one in buying more produce and enjoying leaner meats. If exercise needs to be added to your loved one’s weekly schedule, a senior home care provider can provide transportation to the gym or senior center.
When seeking to quit bad habits like smoking or drinking, success is more likely with the support of cessation support groups.
Taking some steps to a healthier life can reduce your loved one’s colon cancer risk.
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