nursing care for colon cancer

colon cancer definition

Content is medically reviewed by:

Dr. Udaya Kumar Maiya (MBBS, MD, DNB(RT), DCCF (Paris), Medical Director, Portea.

Colorectal cancer, which is also commonly known as colon cancer or bowel cancer, is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer.  Colon cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the colon or the rectal area. Just like any other form of cancer; colon or bowel cancer is characterized by an abnormality in cell growth patterns that result in the formation of tumors that spread and invade other areas of the body.

what is colon cancer?

Globally, colorectal cancer is the 3^rd most prevalent form of cancer that affects both men and women and some statistics suggest that it makes up for 10% of all cancer cases. Statistics make the fact that this form of cancer affects more men than women; so much so that doctors are more likely to recommend regular colon cancer screening tests for men than for women. The success of colon cancer treatment largely depends upon the progression of this condition and awareness about colon cancer causes and colon cancer symptoms.  Colorectal cancer awareness is most important for the prevention or early diagnosis of this disease.

As mentioned prior; awareness of colon or bowel cancer is important for prevention of this disease and an early colon cancer diagnosis largely determines the success of treatment. Bearing this in mind; we aim to enlighten the reader on important matters related to colorectal cancer. Including but not limited to colon cancer causes, colon cancer symptoms, colon cancer screening tests, the standard colon cancer diagnostic test, colon cancer stages, colon cancer care, and colon cancer treatment in a clinical setting alongside colon cancer treatment at home.

colon cancer screening

Bearing in mind that prevention is better than cure, it’s only apt that we look into bowel cancer screening before we go into causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatments for this disease. Colorectal cancer screening is very different from the standard colon cancer diagnostic test; as the goal is to determine vulnerability to this form of cancer as compared to making a colon cancer diagnosis. The gist here is that colon cancer tests are of two primary kinds; one is intended for the screening of colon or bowel cancer; while the other is for diagnostic purposes. Both forms of colon cancer tests are equally important; either for prevention or successful colon cancer treatment.

colon cancer symptoms

Like any other ailment; there are multiple symptoms of colorectal cancer. The most common colon cancer symptoms are weakness, tiredness, breathlessness, changes in bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea, red or brownish blood in the stools, pain in the abdominal area, cramps in the abdominal area and even bloating or weight loss. These symptoms are definitely not specific to colon or bowel cancer and can be the byproduct of other ailments mostly related to digestion and bowel health. As such; definitive diagnostic testing is required to determine colorectal cancer and for successful colon cancer treatment.

Colon Cancer Causes

There are various causes and contributing factors that determine an individuals’ vulnerability to any kind of cancer including colon cancer. According to research and available data; dietary, hereditary, colon polyps, race and even age are some of the factors associated with a high risk of colon cancer.

• High fat diets are known to contribute to the risk of colorectal cancer
• Increasing age effectively increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer
• Individuals with a family history of colon or bowel cancer diagnosis are vulnerable to developing colorectal cancer
• Even benign colon polyps and ulcerative colitis can further the risk of developing colon or bowel cancer.

colon cancer types

Every case of colorectal cancer is unique and there are multiple types of colon or bowel cancer. A majority of all cancers found in the rectum or colon are adenocarcinomas. The less common occurring colon cancer types include primary colorectal lymphomas, leiomyosarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, melanomas and carcinoid tumors. Additionally; there are 4 colon cancer stages and stage 3 and 4 of this disease often requires advanced colon cancer treatment at home or hospital.

testing for colon cancer

Stool DNA testing and the minimally invasive colonoscopy are the two most favored and accurate means of testing for colon cancer. FOBT or High-Sensitivity Fecal Blood Tests can also detect colon cancer.

colon cancer treatment

Like most other forms of cancer; colon cancer is treated with chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. The progression of the ailment largely determines the most effective mode of treatment. Both radiation and chemotherapy are instrumental in destroying cancer cells that would otherwise spread and invade other parts of the body while surgery is instrumental in removing cancerous tissue and masses that are the hub of the aggressive cancer cells. These primary means of colon or bowel cancer treatment mostly take place in a hospital setting however additional cancer fighting drugs and medication are an integral part of colon cancer care and colon cancer treatment at home. On a personal level; patients diagnosed with colon or bowel cancer are expected to abide by doctor recommendations and stick to prescribed medications. This is integral for colon cancer care and cure. Treatment of colon cancer is mostly proactive and aggressive. It requires the combined efforts of doctors and nurses for colon cancer patients to reach a cure and recovery stage.

how can we help?

Colon cancer home treatment and personalized colon cancer care at home often requires the assistance of home nurses for colon cancer patients. This often applies to patients that prefer colon cancer home treatment in comparison to a long hospital stay or even end-stage colon cancer patients who require cancer home treatment and personalized colon cancer care at home to minimize pain and discomfort. We at Portea have a team of experienced doctors and personal nurses that are very effective in duplicating hospital care in a home setting. You can easily make a booking with us by calling or through our website.