Dealing with Cancers is worse than having to cope with any other disease, there is no doubt that everyone who is down with cancer needs support from families and friends however this people are not enough to give the encouragement you need, this is not because they have not been helpful but because you need someone going through the same phase of life. Colon Cancer support groups are very helpful and many who have fallen victims of this type of cancer get supportive shoulders from these groups. It is important that you share and listen to experiences of others so you can learn to live or even cope with Colon Cancer.

One question that people ask is how do these groups help one to cope with Cancer? The truth is you feel relieved when you listen to stories shared by people who have been through the stage you are in, and this gives you the strength to fight this deadly disease. The groups also find a way of sharing articles and posts that involves systematic care and treatment for Colon Cancer and giving a comforting hand to one another.

There are different Colon Cancer support groups all over the world and some countries also have Colon Cancer foundations that assist with health care and information for people with Colon Cancer. This is sometimes funded by the government and at times some nongovernmental organizations take it upon themselves to help the people suffering from this disease. People who have gotten to the last stage of Colon Cancer needs so much support and should not be left alone at any point in time. The aim of Cancer groups is not limited to only Support but also to create awareness for those who are living an unhealthy lifestyle, this will help them curb unhealthy habits that could cause any form of Cancerous growth.

Joining a Colon Cancer group is not that hard, you can either find one on the Internet or locate one through the help of your Oncologist. The Cancer support groups are always welcoming and does not require payments of any kind but rather everyone is helping one another get through the pain and difficulties that they may be feeling. There is no strict eligibility to joining any Cancer support group but it is important that you choose a group where you will feel comfortable and at home. Supports groups go a major way in helping people to Stand up to the fear of Cancer. The Schedule of every Support group may differ but they have one goal which is helping humanity get through several diseases that Kill, this is definitely a good thing.

Just like any other form of Cancer, Colon cancer exists in different stages. In order to get rid Colon cancer we need to treat it according to the stage or progression. Normally the major treatment for Colon Cancer is surgery when the tumor is at the initial stage, depending on the spread additional therapy can be recommended by the Medical Doctor. Each stage of Colon cancer has its peculiarity so also does the treatment.

The first stage of Colon cancer is called the Zero stage, at this stage there is little or no harm yet and a minor excision of the tumor is what is needed. This is the starting phase of Colon Cancer and it involves little or no complications. The Stage One is a bit different in that the tumor is large enough to cover the inner walls of the Colon but has not yet progressed to the outer part, surgery also works for this but more part of the colon where the tumor can be found is cut off. This requires no extra therapy because this is enough to treat this  .

Stage Two involves the in growth and outgrowth of the tumor in the colon, though at this point there is no connection between the tumor and the lymph nodes. Most doctors will recommend Chemotherapy at this stage because of the probability of a recurring tumor. Therefore after the surgical removal of tumor Chemotherapy begins, however not all cases might have the need for this form of therapy. The Stage Three of Colon Cancer progression is the beginning of complications because there is a spread of tumor to the lymph nodes and if not attended to will spread to the remaining part of the body, this requires surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

When it comes to the last stage of Colon Cancer which is the Stage four, the patient has little chance of getting a cure because surgery is likely to relieve the symptoms but will not cure it. The Colon Cancer Survival rate at this stage is very low but that doesn’t mean that the patient might never get better. It is better to discover Colon Cancer at the initial stage when something can be done to it and this can only be done when we go for regular check up and medical examination. Colon Cancer is a deadly disease and should not be overlooked but at the same time , when you find out that you have Colon Cancer don’t be discouraged but instead fight it with all your might. Many live through this disease daily and still get to achieve a lot of things. Don’t be afraid to think positively.

The first symptom of Colon Cancer is the presence of bowel discomfort in the absence of a cause, for example when one begins to feel constipated or even diarrhea. The stool is most likely to be reddish in color because of bleeding from the gastrointestinal area. Note that the color might also vary depending on the location of the tumor. When the tumor is large enough to cause obstruction one might feel abdominal discomfort and even dyspeptic syndrome. Another sign that must not be overlooked is weakness or unexplained weightless even with good food. This one sign that is common to most type of illness and sometimes people tend to over look it. You should take it serious if you realize you are losing massive weight within a few days or even hours. This is because of the bowel discomfort and the loss of stomach content during diarrhea. Some people might experience dehydration at this point.

Colon Cancer symptoms should not be ignored because it could lead to several complications which include Anemia. On the onset of this disease you might have little or no symptoms but it is very important to take note of your body’s mechanism so you can discover when something unusual comes up. Ignoring signs of diseases makes it worse for us to get rid of them when they have reached the later stage of complications. As soon as you discover a reddish color in your stool or feeling an abdominal discomfort no matter how little it might be, it is safer to consult your doctor for Diagnosis so you can find out what is wrong with you. Keep in mind that the most important thing is to take care of your health and maintain a healthy diet; this helps our immune system to be strong enough to tackle any form of illness. Always go for Medical checkup.

Stage Zero:

This is the initial stage of colon cancer (colorectal cancer). The cancer merely occupies the lining, of the colon or rectum and is restricted to the tissue bulging from the outside of the organ, known as polyps.

Stage One:

Stage one of colorectal cancer is more complex as it entails a lot more than just occupying the inner lining of the colon. At this point the polyp (i.e. the tissue bulging) has developed into a tumor, and expands into the wall of the rectum or colon. It can be treated by surgically removing the cancerous part of the colon. The five-year survival rate at this stage after successful treatment is about 95 percent.

Stage two:

In the second stage of colon cancer, the cancer spreads further than the colon to the tissue that surrounds the colon but it does not yet spread to the lymph nodes. This process of spreading of cancer from one body part to another is medically termed as metastasis. A resection surgery may also be used to treat this stage of cancer. In this stage, the five-year survival rate of the patient drops considerably to 60 percent.

Stage three:

The third stage is when the cancer which has spread outside the colon and to the lymph nodes located in the area surrounding the colon. In this stage, the treatment needs to be more intensive and aggressive. Surgical removal of the cancerous tumor and chemotherapy may be adopted. Patient’s five year survival rate drastically decreases to 35-59 percent.

Stage four:

The spreading of cancer to other organs in the body like liver or lungs happens in the fourth stage. Apart from chemotherapy and a surgical resection, another surgery to remove additional affected body parts and radiation therapy may be necessary. At this point the five-year survival rate of the patient is as low as eight percent.

Even after successful treatment cancer can return in colon or some other part of the body. This is known as recurrent cancer. Thus regular checkups become necessary in order to catch a recurrent cancer early.

Although if caught in the early stages, colorectal or colon cancer is one of the most curable cancers, in advanced stages it is one of the leading causes of death.

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Stopping the intake of solid foods prior to colonoscopy is to ensure that the patient’s bowels are empty. Consumption of dark coloured beverages and any supplements that the patient might be taking should be discontinued. Iron supplements, including the ones contained in multi-vitamins, should also be avoided.

Food items like fruits and nuts are high on fibre. So they should not be eaten before colonoscopy. Same is the case for red meat. Rice and vegetables also have high fibre content and therefore should not be eaten. The patient must not have cereals, bran and seeds either.

Even if red meat is a strict no-no, the patient is allowed to have boiled chicken so long as it does not contain any skin. Streamed white fish is also okay. Even in the case of vegetables, potatoes may be eaten, but the skin should be peeled off completely first. Unrefined white bread can also be taken as it has minimal fibre content. It should be noted that even though these food products may be consumed, it is only in small portions. Large quantities of these food items can lead to accumulation of fibre in the bowels.

In preparation for colonoscopy, a high intake of liquids is mandatory to avoid dehydration. However, milk and all milk products are completely off-limits. Food and beverages which are red or purple in colour also should be avoided. Some physicians ask patients to stay away from orange coloured dyes as well.

On the day before the colonoscopy, the patient should have a lot of clear fluids. This is so that he/she stays hydrated and also to ensure that the bowels are clear. However, it should be noted that around four hours prior to the colonoscopy procedure, the intake of fluids should also be completely halted.

Following these dietary rules help to minimise complications during colonoscopy.

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The basic objective is to cleanse the colon for colonoscopy so that the camera that goes in to the body can move freely and also can have a clear view in the bid to locate the tumour.

Instructions on food need to be followed for 2 to 4 days, depending on the specifications of the doctor. Liquids are the recommended type of food that the person to undergo colonoscopy should have but semi-solids can also be consumed as they do not contain too much fibre. Fibres stick to the bowel walls and can be mistaken for blood. For this reason, solids and opaque liquids should not be taken at all.

Soup and broth are the two many recommended semi-solid supplements, while a little bit of skinless chicken is okay. Noodles and pasta are also acceptable as they have low fibre content. Unrefined white bread can also be consumed for the same reason.

Even if these solids are permitted, liquid based food items are recommended. The day prior to the colonoscopy only liquids should be consumed. This can include not only water and juices, but also coffee, tea, lemonade, and clear soda. Dark coloured liquids, especially with red or purple colour dye should not be had. This is so that remnants stuck in the bowels are not mistaken for blood. It is better to consult your doctor in case you are not sure whether a certain liquid is suitable.

Atleast 1 gallon of liquids should be consumed on the day before colonoscopy as it is important that the patient is not dehydrated while undergoing the bowel preparation that the doctor takes him/her through.

Alcoholic drinks should be completely avoided before a colonoscopy procedure, atleast for one day.

There is a special colonoscopy mix that can be taken on the morning of the procedure. This is to help in cleansing the bowels. The mix has a very unpleasant taste, so adding a little bit of lemonade can lend it some favour but the doctor should be consulted before this is done.

Lastly, one shouldn’t take any herbal supplement for a week before the procedure which includes supplements in food, liquids and also in the form of pills.

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Colonoscopy is a medical procedure where a long tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the anus and the colon is checked for abnormal growths called polyps. To carry out a colonoscopy test, the bowel needs to be empty so that the colon can be viewed clearly.

The bowel preparations vary depending on the physician and how many days before the screening the preparations have to start also depends on him/her.

The first step in preparation for colonoscopy is to stop the intake of all iron supplements a week prior to the test. This is because iron changes the colour of the intestines. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as Aspirin will also have to be stopped.

The day before the procedure only clear liquids should be consumed. Liquids which are red or purple in colour should be strictly avoided as the red coloured dye might stick to the walls of the intestine and might prove difficult to differentiate from blood.

On the eve of the procedure, there should be no intake of food including liquids. Food takes a long time to travel through the bowels and the absence of food will help the bowels to clean out the stool that is already present, without having to process new food.

There is a tablet which is also referred to as a colonoscopy mix. It comes in regular and lemon flavoured tablets and help to empty out the bowel contents within half an hour of swallowing the pill.

Laxative tablets, which are generally prescribed for constipation, are also recommended as they assist in completely emptying the bowel before the colonoscopy procedure. The laxatives usually dehydrate the person so it is important that there is a constant intake of fluids every hour after the laxative dose is administered.

Every medical procedure comes accompanied with its share of complications but thankfully, complications in a colonoscopy screening procedure are very rare and the odds are that is unlikely to occur.

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The most common complications in colonoscopy include perforation in the intestines, excessive bleeding, unexpected reaction to sedatives and bowel infection. But these are very rare complications and usually are more prevalent in colonoscopies involving polyp removal.

Preparation Complications

Complications during the preparation for a colonoscopy are not very common and are usually only in older patients and ones with heart problems. Cleaning the bowels properly before colonoscopy reduces the risk.

Bleeding

There are very low chances of a complication due to bleeding during colonoscopy and even when it does, it is resolved on it own. There are more chances of bleeding during polyp removal and even this is usually resolved on its own.

Perforation

A tear or a hole in the intestine is referred to as a perforation. It usually occurs during colonoscopy if an instrument punctures the colon wall during the procedure. The risk of a perforation during colonoscopy is usually in cases where the polyp is removed. In cases of small perforation, surgery is not mandatory. It can be treated with proper monitoring, adequate rest and antibiotics.

Postpolypectomy Syndrome

If the patient suffers a burn to the bowel wall during polyp removal, it is referred to as postpolypectomy syndrome. The patient experiences fever and abdominal pain and the white blood cell count increases. Treatment for this includes prescribed fluids, proper rest and antibiotics.

Anesthetic Medication Effects

To make the patient comfortable during colonoscopy, certain sedatives are administered. This might cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems. Other side effects include rashes on the skin where the injection is given, vomiting, nausea and a drop in blood pressure.

Infection

Chances of an infection after colonoscopy are very low. An infection can be passed on from one patient to another if the endoscope is not sterilized properly between tests.

These are the main risks involved during colonoscopy. Approaching a specialist rather than a family doctor and taking advice from an anaesthesiologist is advised. Frequent checks can help detect a benign polyp that might turn cancerous, especially if there is a history.

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Early detection of colon cancer plays an important part in determining the survival chances. So detecting the symptoms of the disease is very important to increase the patients’ rates of survival. There are a variety of symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, tiredness, sudden weight loss and bloody stool among others. As soon as a person experiences any of the symptoms and has a vague suspicion that he might have developed the disease, he should consult the doctor.

There are some unexpected factors in colon cancer survivability. Men have a 44% chance of developing the disease at some point in their life as compared to women whose chances are 37%. In general, a person irrespective of gender has a 6% chance of developing colon cancer during his/her lifetime.

Other statistics like a personal history of cancer, or a history of the disease in the family can also lead to colon cancer. Following the procedures that reduce the chances of contracting cancer help in negating the chances of developing colon cancer.

It must be understood that surviving colon cancer does not mean you are cured or that when the treatment is finally complete, you have been completely relieved of the illness. It means that a certain number of people who develop the disease, live for a specific period of time after it is diagnosed.

If colon cancer is detected in its initial stages, the chances of survival are 93%. If it is the second stage, the chances get reduced to 78%. In the tertiary stage, it becomes 64% and there is only an 8-10% survival chance if colon cancer is detected in the final stages.

The location of the colon in the rectum does not make much of a difference as the survival rate is between 59-66% depending on the various places the colon can be located. Colon cancer survival rates keep improving as the years pass, because of advanced screening, better medicines and a host of other medical solutions.

Fatigue

The presence of a tumour leads to anaemia, which is because of the lack of iron supplement and this makes the person feel chronically weak and tired.

Dark blood in stool

If there is blood in your stool, it signifies the presence of a tumour which usually bleeds. If the blood is fresh, it means that the tumour is closer to the end of the colon whereas if it dried or dark red in colour, the tumour is located at the beginning of the colon.

Constipation

A large tumour in the colon will be an obstruction in the bowels and will restrict the movement of stool, hence causing constipation.

Nausea

A tumour that is large in enough to block stool and cause constipation will also lessen the blood flow which can lead to vomiting and nausea.

Weight loss

When a person starts losing weight without any effort or reason, it may be due to the fact that the tumour is releasing chemicals that accelerate the metabolism rate.

Bloating

A tumour at the end of the colon will bloat and give the feeling that the bowel is still full. This might be mistaken as a part of the stool which is not easy to excrete.

Abdominal cramps

The colon, as mentioned earlier, acts as an obstruction in the bowel and depending on the size will prevent solids, liquids and even gases from passing by. This can lead to acute stomach pain and cramps in the abdomen. Recurrent sprees of painful cramps in the abdomen region might be because the bowel has nudged the bowel wall. This may be an emergency and needs immediate medical treatment.

These are the most common colon cancer early symptoms but there are other minor symptoms as well that might lead to the diagnosis of colon cancer. These include irregular bowel movement and peptic ulcers. The colon is bigger on the right side, and hence the tumour can grow till it is very huge before it leads to abdominal cramps or pain in the stomach. Inspite of all this, in the case of colon cancer, the growth may be present for many years before any symptoms begin to show.