1. By: Meghan Tschuemperlin
Colon Cancer
By: Meghan Tschuemperlin

2. Colon Cancer Facts
The scientists have said that this type of Cancer is not contagious.
However you can get this type of cancer through family genetics, high fat intake, and the presence of polyps in the large intestine.
Ranked as second highest leading cause of death from cancer in U.S.
Ranked the third highest cancer that women and men can both get in U.S.
148,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer annually in the U.S alone.
Males have a higher risk of getting this cancer than woman.
lifetime risk of getting disease: Female: 5.5% and Male: 5.9%
72% of this cancer will start in the colon while the other 28% will start in the rectal area.

3. Intro-History of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is abnormal development of tissue in the colon or large intestine.
Has also been called colorectal cancer or rectal cancer.
Is considered hereditary and therefore if you have a history of colon cancer you have the possibility of getting it.
Colon cancer and tumors were first treated with many different types of therapies.
such as… Dietary modifications (changing diet to make it easier to eliminate wastes), Colon cleansing (therapy to get rid of wastes in colon), Herbal treatments (tea or other plants used as medicine, this is still incorporated into medicines today), and Meditation (used as self-healing).
*No one has exactly discovered colon cancer it dates back to the ancient times. The technology however is improving so treating the cancer has become a little easier.*

4. Diagnosis
Fecal occult blood test- used to check the blood stools, small samples are taken and put on a card for microscope inspection.
Digital rectal exam- used to check for any lumps or an unusual things in the rectum.
Sigmoidoscopy- when a thin tube is put through the anus and rectum into lower part of colon to look for any abnormal areas.
Colonoscopy- when a thin tube is put through the anus and rectum and through the colon looking for any abnormal areas.
Biopsy- removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed and examined under a microscope for any signs of cancer.
Above in the green shows the route of the tube when taking a Sigmoidoscopy.
Above in blue shows the route of the tube when taking a colonoscopy.

5. Transmission
You can get this type through genetics from parents, grandparents, or other family member. If any member of your family, even extended family, you have a chance of getting this disorder too.
Many of the colon cancer cases were sporadic, meaning they were developed through genetic mutation. Also some could of inherited that mutation from a parent. The chance of inheriting that mutated gene from a parent is 50%.
If getting colon cancer is dominant in a homozygous parent and a heterozygous recessive parent then the child will have a 50% chance of inheriting the colon cancer gene.

6. Signs and Symptoms Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
Blood in the stool (can be black or tarry color)
Change in Bowel habits. Ex. Diarrhea, or constipation
Intestinal obstruction
Unexplained anemia
Lose of weight without a cause or reason
Stools narrower than usual
Frequent gas pains, bloating or cramps
Feeling very tired often
vomiting

7. Treatment
The most used treatment is surgery, it removes the tumor that surrounds the healthy bowel and the lymph nodes are removed. Through this treatment it lowers the patient from getting internal bleeding and bowel problems
There are four different types of surgery that can be done, the best one is determined by the surgeon. Radio frequency ablation, rectum resection, colon restriction, and colostomy (opening that lets waste off without going through the anus) are the main surgeries.
If an early detection of this disease is found they can use polypectomy which is when the surgeon takes out suspicious polyps and this can lower the risks of the disease.
A last treatment that can be done is intra arterial chemotherapy, it applies powerful doses of chemotherapy to the tumors.
The primary systematic chemotherapy are used after the surgical process to destroy many of the cancer cells.
*A Natural way that can help lower your risk of getting colon cancer is to have a good and healthy lifestyle.*

8. Pictures of Colon Cancer

9. Reference List
(2004). Colon Cancer. In The Columbian Encyclopedia sixth edition. Retrieved May 24, 2010, from Questia: Encyclopedia database.
(2008). Colon Cancer Information. Retrieved May 23, 2010, from
(2009, October 2). General information about Colon Cancer. Retrieved May 23, 2010, from National Cancer Institute:
(2009). History of colon cancer. Retrieved May 23, 2010, from Cancer Information Center:
(2010, April 9). Learning about colon cancer. Retrieved May 23, 2010, from National Human Genome Research Institute: