The Link Between Genetics And Colon Cancer

Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Genetic drift , selection , migration, etc., are parameters which are used to construct models that allow us to generate predictions and obtain deeper insight.

The discovery of DNA and the elucidation of the biophysical substrate which constrains the modes of inheritance in a concrete manner opened up the startling vistas of molecular evolutionary genetics. Generally, gene mutations can disrupt an entire protein, but in colon cancers, only half the APC protein is lost, while the other half remains, Ahmed explains. Her work in fruit flies suggests a reason for this unexplained phenomenon.

Genes, such as Notch 3, were affected by the stage of tumorigenesis. After pathway analyses, many genes were identified that were over-represented for their respective biological processes (genes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, ion transport and signaling pathways).

Colon cancer is very rare in people under 30 years of age. Most people diagnosed with the disease are in their 50?s or 60?s. Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States for both men and women. Also referred to as colorectal cancer, colon cancer occurs in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon).

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. The best way to detect colon cancer is with a colonoscopy, a screening exam that involves inserting a flexible, lighted tube through the rectum up to the colon and viewing images on a monitor.

Colon cancer is often fatal if the cancer cells have spread unchecked through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to adjacent and/or distant tissues. Colorectal cancer has a strong tendency to metastasize to the liver, which represents the leading cause of death for people with the disease.

Colon cancer is preventable. The most important step towards preventing colon cancer is getting a screening test. Colon cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the lining of the bowel. Usually small lumps called polyps begin to form.

Generally, the less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state and the better it is. Generally, the deeper a tumor has penetrated the bowel wall, the more difficult it is to cure with surgery alone. Generally, digestive diseases have been considered by psychiatry to result from anger turned inward.

It is now known that normal people’s immune systems are able to recognize and destroy tiny cancer cells before they can spread. In the diseased or depressed person, the immune system does not function efficiently and may allow cancer to start.

Screening works because colon cancer is usually a slow-growing disease that starts with adenomatous polyps, small, protuberant growths inside the colon that may contain precancerous cells.

Screening tests are designed to find these polyps so doctors can remove them before they become cancerous. Screening saves lives.”.Here are some myths about colon cancer and the facts patients need to know. Myth: Colon cancer only affects men Colon cancer affects both men and women, in fact approximately 26,000 women die every year from colon cancer.

What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer

Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, also known as Colorectal Cancer or Rectal Cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in the United States. It is estimated that this year there will be approximately 108,070 new cases of Colon cancer and 41,000 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States. These cases will result in approximately 49,960 deaths.

Colon Cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the lower part of the digestive system; it also includes rectal cancer which is cancer in the last 6 inches of the colon. This is where food is processed to create energy for the body. It is also where the body disposes of solid waste matter. After food is swallowed it is deposited in the stomach where it is broken down. It then travels into the small intestine where it is broken down further and the nutrients are absorbed into the body. The food is then feed into the large intestine (colon) which absorbs more nutrients and water from the food and stores any waste matter. The waste matter then passes through the Rectum, which is the last 6 inches of the colon, before being expelled from the anus. There are several layers of tissues that line the walls of the colon and rectum. It is in these layers of tissues that Colorectal cancer starts. The cancer begins in the inner layer and spreads outwards. The stage of the cancer therefore depends on how deep it extends into these layers. There is no single cause of colon cancer, nearly all colon cancers usually begin as small, benign groups of cells called polyps. These Polyps may be large or small and depending on size produce maybe produce little or no symptoms. These Polyps eventually may develop into cancer.

The exact cause of Colon cancer is unknown, however there are certain known factors that can increase you risk of cancer. These include: age, genetics, ethnic background, dieting exercise, smoking, and diabetes. Colon cancer is dangerous because it often has no symptoms. The following symptoms however, may indicate Colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness, blood in the stool, Change in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction, unexplained weight loss, or unexplained anemia.

Due to increased and improved Screening techniques Colorectal cancer cases and deaths have been declining for about the last 15 years. With proper screening polyps are usually found and removed before they become cancerous. Colorectal cancer can also be found at earlier stages where it is more easily treated.

Colorectal cancer screenings are tests that look for Colorectal cancer in patients who do not have any symptoms. These tests can detect colorectal cancers at very early stages which dramatically raise the chances of successful treatment. Certain screenings are also able to detect polyps in the colon which maybe become cancerous. The two most common tests are the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (flex-sig) and the Colonoscopy. The Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is a flexible lighted tube which is about .5 inches thick. The tube is about 2 feet long and when inserted rectally it allows the doctor to examine the bottom half of the colon for cancer or polyps. If an adenoma polyp or Colorectal cancer is found you will need a Colonoscopy to check the rest of the colon. In a Colonoscopy a longer version of a sigmoidoscope is used which then allows the doctor to check the entire colon for cancer or polyps. With either test if Polyps are found they may be removed during the test.

Many treatment choices are available for Colorectal cancer. These treatments include: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other targeted therapies using monoclonal antibodies. Different therapies may also be combined depending on the stage of the cancer.

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Learn About The Different Colon Cancer Types

Posted on 21. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Cancer is a medical condition that has grown all too popular and impacting thousands of individuals. There are tons of various types of cancer. Several of the more common types are; breast cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

Out of these, colon cancer – referred to as colorectal cancer – is the most common. According to health experts 1 out of 17 individuals that live in the United States alone will be diagnosed with colon cancer. It has been ranked the third most average cancer that men will be diagnosed with.

What makes colon cancer so fatal is how difficult it is for doctors to spot it around an early stages. There are many different types of colon cancer that will bear upon a person differently. Some are more serious than other types and if they are not spotted early there is no promising treatment for the patient.

Adenocarcinomas

This type is the most average type of colon cancer that will start out in a patient’s glands. This type has two contrasting subtypes that are; signet ring cell and mutinous. 90 – 95% of patients who are treated for colon cancer will have the adenocarcinomas type.

Leiomyosarcomas

This type of colon cancer will start out inside of the smooth muscle that is in the colon. Less than 2% of individuals who are diagnosed with colon cancer will be diagnosed with this type. They also have a better chance of recovery.

Lymphomas

Lymphomas is a rare type of colon cancer that normally begins inside the rectum before it travels to the colon. It is feasible for this to start in other sections of the body. When this takes place the cancer has an increased risk of circulating to the colon before moving to the rectum at a faster pace.

Melanomas

This is another rare type of colon cancer that will normally start out in a different area of a patient’s body before it spreads to the colon and the rectum. Not even 2% of people diagnosed with colon cancer will suffer from this medical condition.

Neuroendocrine Tumors

These tumours have been broken into two classifications; indolent and aggressive. The aggressive type are neuroendocrine tumors that can be large or small cell. Carcinoid tumors are indolent.

How To Prevent Colorectal Colon Cancer

Posted on 21. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Did you know that in 2005 in the U.S.A., 26,781 men and 27,259 women died from colorectal (colon) cancer ?  Those are terrifying figures, yet they are true.  For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate and lung cancers. For women, this cancer is the third most common after breast and lung cancers.

Possibly we can reduce these statistics.  If everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps, abnormal growths in the colon or rectum, so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened.

What is the Colon ?

The colon is the end portion of our digestive system.  It is where foods that are not digested by the small intestine are stored for several hours up to a few days.  Also, most of the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and water take place in the colon.  The bulks of food that are no longer in use and toxins that are present from the food, are then eliminated from the body in the form of the feces.
 
What is Colon Cancer ?

Colon cancer can simply be defined as the cancer of the colon or the large intestine. Most cases of this illness start as a small and benign clumps of cells in the intestine, which is known as adenomatous polyps.  As time goes by, these polyps multiply rapidly and develop into cancers.

Polyps are hard to detect in an early stage because they produce only a few symptoms. Sometimes, no symptoms are manifested not unless the condition is in its later stages. Once the signs of a cancer appear the individual experiences a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain and cramping, accumulation of gas and presence of blood in the stool.

Why do People Develop Colon Cancer ?

When the healthy cells in the colon are altered, they become at risk for the development of cancer. To keep the body functioning normally, the cells need to grow and divide in an orderly manner.  There are really times when cells grow out of control, even if new cells are not needed by the system.

The most common cause of the development of this disease occurs when one has a history of the illness and polyps in the family. Other known causes are inflammatory bowel disease, high alcohol intake, diabetes, diet that is high in fats and cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and a diet that is deficient in vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
 
What are the Available Colorectal Cancer Treatments ?

The three standard treatment options are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

1. Chemotherapy – most oncologists recommend chemotherapy for colon cancers that are already in stage 2.  For stage 3 and stage 4 colon cancers, chemotherapy is still recommended but should be used in combination with biologic therapy in order to target specific cancer cells. The chemicals being used aids the body to get rid of the cancerous cells and prevent them from rapidly dividing. 

2. Radiation Therapy -individuals who are scheduled for surgery are advised to undergo radiation therapy to shrink the tumor.  After the surgery, another session of a radiation therapy is needed to prevent the tumor from ever coming back.  In some cases, there are tumors that can hardly be removed with surgery, so radiation therapy is used to destroy the cancer cells.
 
The most common type of radiation therapy that is used for the treatment of colon cancer is the external radiation. These kinds of therapies are quick but should be done frequently to insure that the cancerous cells are destroyed. 

3. Surgery – the most common surgery for colon cancer is the colostomy. Colostomy is a surgical procedure wherein the surgeon will create an opening in the abdominal wall, which becomes an alternative exit of wastes products from the colon.
 
“While colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, it is the most preventable major cancer. Improvements in prevention, early detection, and treatment have greatly reduced the death toll from this disease,” said Dr. J. Randolph Hecht, clinical professor of medicine and director, GI Oncology Program, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center.

Be sure to take care of your health. There is only one of you !

Colon Cancer Causes and Prevention

Posted on 20. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

If curing colon cancer is very difficult, it is quite contrary to prevent it. In fact, the majority of cancers of the rectum and colon could be prevented through regular checkup (examination or inspection), healthy lifestyle (eating healthy foods, regular colon cleansing, exercise, etc.), and chemoprevention.

Annual Check-up – annual health checkups is recommended to help detect health problems in their early stages. Early medical visit is the best preventive method to save your life from bowel cancer. Bowel cancer tends to develop in the polyps. Most polyps are present no symptoms at early stage, they are usually discovered at the time of colon cancer screening (digital rectal exam, flexible sigmoidoscopy, Barium enema, colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy). Being present microscopically, benign colon polyps tend to transform with time into colon cancer. These abnormalities can be detected and removed early during a colonoscopy (a visual examination of examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel) to avoid complications. It is estimated that this procedure could be reduced by 80% the risk of occurrence of intestinal cancer when you begin these tests at around 45, then every 5 or 10 years.

Diet and Lifestyle – it is no doubt that your lifestyle can increase the risk of cancer. The incidence of colorectal cancer (colon cancer or large bowel cancer) is very frequent in places where people practice the following: physical inactivity, excess calories intake (especially of saturated fat, protein, and sugar), alcohol abuse, consumption of a diet rich in red meat, sausages and hot dogs. Conversely, physical activity and a eating a diet rich in fruit and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, watercress, bok choy, etc.) containing antioxidant micronutrients would reduce the risk of cancer or its reoccurrence. In fact, these foods can be used as preventive and curative methods; a diet composed mostly of fruits, cruciferous veggies and fish may reduce the risk or cure certain bowel cancers at their genesis.

Chemoprevention – this method consist of the use of natural or synthetic substances in order to prevent, reverse, or delay the development of cancer cells. Micronutrients such as iron, cobalt, chromium, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and molybdenum, as well as other nutrients like calcium, folic acid (Vitamin B9), and certain medications such as aspirin may inhibit cancerogenesis, according to some studies in animals. Others studies show significant inhibition of spontaneous intestinal polyps in mice and rats.

Other substances used in chemoprevention include Cyclooxygenase-2-Selective Inhibitors (COX2), a form of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that directly targets COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and peptic ulceration. When it comes to your health, prevention is always better than treatment, which does always lead to cure; make your first step today to prevent or eradicate colon cancer; visit cancerofolon.com, or click on the in the resource box below.

Inappropriate Diet As a Major Cause of Colon Cancer

Posted on 19. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer in the United States. Although colon cancer has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50, the disease can also be developed by young adults and even children. Despite the fact that it can occur in both sexes, colon cancer predominantly affects the male gender. In most cases, colon cancer is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate treatment.

According to the factors that lead to the development of colon cancer, there are two main types of the disease: hereditary colon cancer, which occurs due to genetically inherited physiological abnormalities of the large bowel; and acquired (sporadic) colon cancer, which occurs due to inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyle.

Oncologists claim that acquired colon cancers have an unpredictable pattern of progression, usually evolving latently. Unlike hereditary colon cancer, acquired colon cancer can be very difficult to diagnose. The presence of acquired colon cancer in patients is usually discovered long after the disease becomes serious, rendering medical treatments and therapies ineffective in overcoming it.

While most people with underlying hereditary predispositions to colon cancer can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of the disease, healthy people can avoid colon cancer by following a proper diet and by making lifestyle improvements. Research results indicate that the leading cause of acquired colon cancer among the American population is obesity, followed by physical inactivity and the excessive intake of red meat and other meat products that are rich in saturated fats. Doctors claim that by reducing the consumption of processed meat and by increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods, one would be able to decrease the chances of developing sporadic colon cancer or colorectal cancer by up to 50 percent. Doctors also inform that people who exercise regularly and maintain a normal body weight are very unlikely to develop colon cancer.

In order to minimize the risk of developing colon cancer, one should reduce the intake of saturated fats, proteins and simple carbohydrates (foods containing sugar), in favor of unsaturated fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber-rich foods (fresh fruits and vegetables). Doctors state that margarines, cooking oil and processed foods considerably add to the risks of colon cancer and thus they should be avoided from any diet.

To completely eliminate meat products from one’s diet can be very frustrating. However, this is rarely necessary. In small amounts, properly cooked meat products don’t increase the chances of developing colon cancer. A healthy diet can include low-fat meats, as long as they are prepared through other methods rather than frying. Instead of frying the meat, consider broiling, grilling, steaming or roasting it. This way, you will be able to eliminate unhealthy fat, the substance that greatly contributes to the development of colon cancer.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about stage3 colon cancer or even about colon cancer diet

Intake of Meat Leads to Colon Cancer

Posted on 19. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Cancer is caused by the expose to some viruses, to chemical or natural substances or to radiation.

Researchers investigations show that colon polyps or high intake of meat can cause colon cancer although there are some studies showing that high intake of meat can low the risk of colon cancer. A serious form of cancer after lung cancer is colon cancer. Many people fell certain symptoms of this kind of cancer but they don’t really realize until they go to a doctor.

You may feel unexplained abdominal pain or fatigue, you may have a weight loss or weakness or you may have a unexplained anemia. These symptoms may have other causes but if you’ll go to a doctor he will know what is wrong ii he orders you a x-rays test.

Many studies show that people between 50 and 74 years old that intake meat are for a higher risk of colon cancer than those who intake vitamins or eat little meat. There is a connection between colon cancer and meat. It has been found in laboratories that read meat contains a blood pigment called heme iron that causes colon cancer tumors.

There are researches showing that fiber intake can protect against colon cancer. Other way to prevent colon cancer is that you can eat a low-fat diet with fruits and vegetables, intake of vitamin D, Calcium, vitamin E or you can have physical activity to reduce the risk of having colon cancer.

To avoid colon cancer you should check your lower bowel with fiber optic scope even if you don’t have the symptoms of a colon cancer and you should take this test earlier than 50 years old.

It has been discovered that two natural compounds in onions and curry can low the risk of colon cancer. These two compound are called quercetine and curcumin. If a person with colon cancer eat curry or onions, the number of polyps can drop by 60 percent and this way you can reduce the risk of having colon cancer.

In most cases of colon cancer it is important to know the stage of the disease so you know how to choose your treatment. If you can’t low the risk of having colon cancer by diets or intake of vitamins and finally you get a tumor, the only way to remove it is by surgery. Surgery presumes removing the part of colon that contains the tumor and reconnect healthy segments if it is possible.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about metastatic colon cancer please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/metastatic-colon-cancer.htm

Some Answers to Colon Cancer Questions

Posted on 18. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

1. What is colon cancer?

Cancer is a disease which can affect cells from all organs. The colon cancer affects the cells of the colon, determining them to proliferate in an uncontrollable way. This mass of abnormal cells will form a tumor inside the colon. The cancer of the intestine is quite frequent and two thirds of this type of cancer is situated in the colon.

2. Who can develop colon cancer?

You are at risk of developing colon cancer if you drink a lot of alcohol and you are obese. Also if other members of your family had colon cancer or breast cancer you could inherit some genes that make you more sensible to cancer. If you have polyps on your intestine and you leave them untreated for a long time, they can transform into malign polyps, meaning that cancer had occurred.

3. Is my diet involved in cancer development?

Following a diet which is rich in fats and proteins could expose you to cancer. If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and high fiber foods you can prevent colon cancer from occurring.

4. Does colon cancer come with any symptoms?

There are some symptoms which could announce that cancer is installing, but they also appear in other diseases. Some of the symptoms are: seeing blood in your bowels, alternation of diarrhea with constipation, and low abdominal pains.

5. How does the doctor know that I have cancer?

The doctor will perform a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy to examine the insides of the colon. Also x-rays of the colon will be performed. These methods will see if tumors are present inside the colon. In order to stage colon cancer CT and ultrasound will be used.

6. Can colon cancer be treated?

Generally the most indicated procedure in trying to treat colon cancer is surgery. By surgery the doctors will remove the tumor from the colon. If the cancer spread, giving metastasis, the doctors will recommend you chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These are hard bearable due to their side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, fever, and tiredness.

7. Is the treatment effective or not?

If the colon cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and it has not spread to other organs the treatment will be 90% effective and patients will survive even five years after. If the cancer has given metastasis the treatment will not be so effective any more and half of the diagnosed patients will live less that five years.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm

Colon Cancer Statistics

Posted on 18. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most feared types of cancer by both men and women. The reason is that colon cancer is now fourth on the most known cancer list in many countries around the world. It is also known to be the second most common cause of death in countries like the United State of America. So, I belive these are some pretty good reasons to fear colon cancer, am I right?

If you belive that these are not good enough reasons to fear colon cancer, then here are some more statistics about this type of cancer. A person that has reached the age of fifty has almost five percent risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer. Furthermore, people at this age have also a three percent risk of dying from colon cancer. If these statistics about colon cancer still do not worry you, then you should also know that a person that dies from colon cancer looses almost thirteen years of his/ her life, which is a pretty big number if you ask me.

Moreover, statistics say that more than eight percent of all colon cancer cases arise from a certain type of polyps called adenomatous. If these polyps are smaller than one centimeter, then the risk of developing colon cancer is less than one percent. However, if these polyps are bigger than one centimeter, then the risk of colon cancer rises. Ten percent of these polyps turn into colon cancer in then years time and more than twenty percent in twenty year’ s time. Furthermore as time also passes by the risk of developing colon cancer increase as well. If at the age of forty, the risk of those polyps becoming malignant was about twenty percent, then at fifty it increases to twenty five percent and at the age of seventy the percentage goes as high as fifty.

Most of the colon cancer cases happen in people that are not exposed to any particular risk factors. However, twenty percent of colon cancer cases occur in people with certain risk factors. Family history of colon cancer is the most common of these risk factors. A small percentage of these cases, almost six percent, are also caused by genetic syndromes. People that suffer from ulcerative colitis are also more at risk of developing colon cancer as so are those that have been diagnosed with large polyps or even with colon cancer.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about stage3 colon cancer or even about colon cancer diet

Colon Cancer ? Common Causes of Colon Cancer

Posted on 17. Mar, 2010 by admin in Colon Cancer

The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumors of the large intestine are called cancers.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers. About 112,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer annually, and about 41,000 new cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp (say “pahl-ip”). At first, a polyp is a small, harmless growth in the wall of the colon. However, as a polyp gets larger, it can develop into a cancer that grows and spreads.

Common Causes of Colon Cancer

Most colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps—clusters of abnormal cells in the glands covering the inner wall of the colon. Over time, these abnormal growths enlarge and ultimately degenerate to become adenocarcinomas.

Adenomas: These polyps have the potential to become cancerous and are usually removed during screening tests such as flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Alcohol: Research has indicated that alcohol increases colorectal cancer risk. Research has also shown that it lowers it, or that it has no effect at all. So which is right? All of it may be. The key appears to be what kind of alcohol you’re drinking.

Inflammatory polyps: These polyps may follow a bout of ulcerative colitis. Some inflammatory polyps may become cancerous, so having ulcerative colitis increases your overall risk of colon cancer.

Age: About 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.

Environment: Research has shown that environment can play a big part in colon cancer development. Where you live, who’s around you, your occupation, and even when you work may all influence your risk of developing colon cancer.

Diets high in fat are believed to predispose humans to colorectal cancer. In countries with high colorectal cancer rates, the fat intake by the population is much higher than in countries with low cancer rates. It is believed that the breakdown products of fat metabolism lead to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). Diets high in vegetables and high-fiber foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals may rid the bowel of these carcinogens and help reduce the risk of cancer.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by early-onset colorectal cancer (i.e., develops before age 50) and multiple colorectal cancers. This syndrome also may be associated with other cancers (e.g., cancer of the small intestine, endometrium, stomach, and renal pelvis).

Smoking: Smoking may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer by as much as 40%. Smokers may swallow some of the cancer-causing chemicals and this may be an explanation for the increased risk of colorectal cancer in smokers. Some of these substances are also absorbed into the bloodstream thus causing increased risk of many cancers.