Colon Cancer Risk Assessment

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Colon Cancer Risk Assessment Steven L. McClain SCI/162 December 17, 2011 Jessica Broome Colon Cancer Risk Assessment Colon cancer also known as colorectal cancer is cancer of large intestine, which is the lower part of the digestive system. Colon cancer usually begins as small non-cancerous bumps (adenomatous polyps) and over time can become cancerous. According to the Center for Disease Control (2010)“Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women.” Also the Center for Disease Control states that “the risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age and is greater in men than in women.” (Center for Disease Control, 2010). The following information was retrieved from the Mayo Clinic Some signs of colon cancer are: • A change in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation. • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. • Persistent abominable discomfort. • A feeling of not completely emptying your bowel. • Weakness or fatigue. • Unexplained weight loss. Doctors are not clear what causes colon cancer, but are aware that polyps and an inherited gene mutation are possible precursors to colon cancer. The inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer are: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and rectum. People with untreated FAP have a greatly increased risk of developing colon cancer before age 40. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC, also called Lynch syndrome, increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers. People with HNPCC tend to develop colon cancer before age 50. Early detection and removal of these polyps can prevent colon cancer. Other risk factors

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