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Colon Cancer: Risk Factors

Colon cancer typically affects older adults and begins as benign polyps in the colon that can develop into cancer over time. Symptoms often do not appear in early stages but may include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Risk factors include older age, family history of colon cancer, smoking, obesity, and more. Diagnosis involves colonoscopy or blood tests. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the cancer along with potentially radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on the cancer's stage and location.

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Ashley Villanueva
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132 views3 pages

Colon Cancer: Risk Factors

Colon cancer typically affects older adults and begins as benign polyps in the colon that can develop into cancer over time. Symptoms often do not appear in early stages but may include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Risk factors include older age, family history of colon cancer, smoking, obesity, and more. Diagnosis involves colonoscopy or blood tests. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the cancer along with potentially radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on the cancer's stage and location.

Uploaded by

Ashley Villanueva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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COLON CANCER

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins Many people with colon cancer experience
in the large intestine (colon). The colon is no symptoms in the early stages of the
the final part of the digestive tract disease. When symptoms appear, they'll
. likely vary, depending on the cancer's size
and location in your large intestine.
Colon cancer typically affects older adults,
though it can happen at any age. It usually
begins as small, noncancerous (benign)
clumps of cells called polyps that form on
the inside of the colon. Over time some of Risk factors
these polyps can become colon cancers  Older age.
 African-American race.
 A personal history of
colorectal cancer or polyps.
Signs and symptoms  Inflammatory intestinal
 A persistent change in your conditions.
bowel habits, including  Inherited syndromes that
diarrhea or constipation or a increase colon cancer risk.
change in the consistency of  Family history of colon
your stool cancer.
 Rectal bleeding or blood in  Low-fiber, high-fat diet.
your stool  A sedentary lifestyle.
 Persistent abdominal  Diabetes.
discomfort, such as cramps,  Obesity.
gas or pain  Smoking.
 A feeling that your bowel  Alcohol.
doesn't empty completely  Radiation therapy for cancer.
 Weakness or fatigue
 Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosing colon cancer

 Using a scope to examine the


inside of your colon
(colonoscopy).
 Blood tests.

Treatment

Which treatments are most likely to help


you depends on your particular situation,
including the location of your cancer, its
stage and your other health concerns.
Treatment for colon cancer usually involves
surgery to remove the cancer. Other
treatments, such as radiation therapy and
chemotherapy, might also be
recommended.

Nursing Consideration

 Administer chemotherapy agents as


ordered, provide care for the client
receiving chemotherapy.
 Provide care for the client receiving
radiation therapy.
 Provide care for the client with bowel
surgery

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