Who Is More Prone To Develop Colorectal Cancer?

The exact reason why colon cancer develops in some persons and not in others is not clear. The incidence of colon cancer is quite varied among different countries and within different ethnic groups inside the same country. Industrialized countries like United States, Canada, UK, Western Europe, Australia and Japan have a much higher incidence of colorectal cancer compared to the less industrialized parts of the world like Asia, Africa, and South America. Colorectal cancer represent over 9 percent of all cancers in men and about 10 percent of all cancers in women world-wide. In industrialized countries the incidence of colorectal cancer can be as high as 12 to 14 of all cancers, and in non-industrialized countries much lower rates of about 7 to 8 percent of all cancers diagnosed may be colorectal cancer.

Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer diagnosed in the United States. Each year over 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer and over 50 percent of these patients will die from colorectal cancer. Colon cancer incidence is not much different between males and females, however colon cancer is slightly more prevalent in women compared to men (ratio of 1.2:1) but the rectal cancer is more common in males (ratio of 1.7:1).

Even though we do not know the exact cause of development of colorectal cancer, scientists have recognized several factors that can increase the risk of development of colorectal cancer. A risk factor for a disease is any condition that makes a person more likely to develop that diseases. Some of the risk factors like dietary factors are modifiable by the person involved while some other factors like age are un-modifiable. These risk factors may act in combination, and this combination of risk factors may be associated with cumulative increase in the risk of development of colorectal cancer. The simple presence of one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that someone will develop colorectal cancer. On the other hand absence of all risk factors does not mean that an individual will not develop colorectal cancer, but generally more risk factors you have higher is the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Environmental factors also may be playing a role in the development of colorectal cancer. People who migrate from areas of low risk to areas of the world with higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, they tend to acquire the risk of the country to which they are migrating. This finding suggests the presence of environmental factors causing higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Changes in dietary factors associated with migration may also be contributing to this increase in risk associated with migration from low risk areas to higher risk areas.

Risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer include the following:

Age over 50 years
Increased fat intake
Large intestinal polyps
Family history of colon cancer
Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Personal history of other cancers
Sedentary habits and lack of exercise
Obesity
Diabetes
Smoking
Alcohol content
Genetic colon cancer syndromes like Familial adenomatous polyposis or Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)

Persons who have high risk of colorectal cancer may undergo screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopy once every 2 to 3 years. Screening colonoscopy is recommended for every one who is 50 years or older. If someone has a higher than average risk of developing colorectal cancer, the screening may be initiated earlier than 50 years.

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Nine Is Incredibly Fine

The significance of nine can mean many things. Some cats are said to have nine lives. Nine years is more than many marriages last. There are nine innings in baseball. Nine months can bring forth new life. Nine years can mark the change from a toddler to a teenager or can be the defining times that bring a teenager to adulthood. Cloud 9 denotes great happiness. The number nine holds a special meaning for me this year as it marks nine anniversaries since I heard the words "you have incurable colon cancer." Nine years of new seasons, birthdays, anniversaries, memories, miracles and hope.

In years past, I've described this diagnosis as a battle, a fight, a war, a roller-coaster ride, a merry go round, a voyage, a journey, a seven year itch, and even a dance. All fit, but the greatest gift this year has given me is the realization that I'm not dying from colon cancer. I am living fully in spite of it. I have reaped the benefits of research, a dedicated team of doctors, and increasing options. In my arsenal has been 5fu, levamisole, leucovorin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, xeloda, three clinical trials, numerous surgeries, Sir-spheres, Gamma Knife radiation, intrathecal chemotherapy, external beam radiation, and vertebroplasty. None of these, other than 5fu, existed when I was diagnosed. It is important that the momentum continue and that research is not thwarted, not only for me and my family but for the families of 1500 others that will lose loved ones today and each day after today.

Treatment keeps life exciting. I respond well and it has become my time for socialization. I honestly can't imagine my life without it anymore....perhaps that dependency has helped foster my survival. In between treatment, not a moment is wasted! I've done things that I would have never attempted without cancer (including sky diving and scuba diving)- lobbying with C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition and on behalf of SIR-spheres, speaking, meeting new people and telling a very private story in extremely public places. My life has touched others as they have touched mine and increased my understanding of hope. Hope is a guiding force in life and is the closest thing to a magic wand. It is the golden gossamer thread that harvests happiness, opens possibilities, promises a future, and encourages getting lost in the moment. With hope, I glimpse the "all of life" and the "muchness" within every waking minute. For nine years I have lived with a gift that many never have the opportunity to open. It is the gift of NOW. My children have nine years of journals and thoughts for every step of their youth, pictures and love, memories and moments, and an awareness that not many their age experience. My husband and I have learned to embrace every day and we have a strong appreciation for the present day.

Nine signifies the number of borrowed years that I have enjoyed. On this day nine years ago I was handed a death sentence....one that we are each handed the minute we are born...but never fully understand. Cancer provides that clarity. It was never expected that I would see the dawn of the new year, my children grow up, another anniversary with my husband, and definitely not my 40th birthday. Much has happened in these past nine years. Every day is a blessing. Nine is incredibly fine!

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Who is more likely to develop colorectal cancer?

The exact cause of colon cancer develops in some people and not in others is unclear. The incidence of colorectal cancer varies greatly in different countries and within the different ethnic groups within a country. In developed countries like USA, Canada, UK, Western Europe, Australia and Japan has a much higher incidence of colorectal cancer have compared to the less industrialized parts of the world such as Asia, Africa, South --America. Colorectal cancer represent more than 9 percent of all cancers in men and about 10 percent of all cancers in women worldwide. In industrialized countries, the incidence of colon cancer can be as high as 12 to 14 of all cancers and in non-industrialized countries, much lower rates of diagnosed about 7 to 8 percent of all cancers may be cancer.

Without skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancerDiagnosis in the United States. Each year, more than 100,000 Americans with colon cancer and is more than 50 percent of patients diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer incidence dying is not much different between men and women, colon cancer is slightly more common in women compared to men, the ratio of 1.2:1) (but the rectum is more common in men (ratio of 1.7: 1).

Even if we do not know theexact cause of the development of colorectal cancer, scientists have identified several factors that may increase the risk of developing colon cancer. A risk factor for a disease is any condition that a person more likely to develop that makes that disease. Some risk factors such as dietary factors, by the person concerned, while some other un-modifiable factors such as age are changeable. These risk factors may act in combination, and this combination of risk factors mayassociated with cumulative increase in the risk of developing colon cancer. The mere presence of one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that someone develop colon cancer. On the other hand, the absence of any risk factors does not mean that an individual will not develop cancer, but generally more risk factors you have, the higher chance of developing colorectal carcinoma. Environmental factors may play a rolethe development of colon cancer. People who tend to migrate from areas with low risk for the regions in the world with a higher risk of colon cancer led them to the risk of the country in which they migrate to acquire. This finding suggests the presence of environmental factors may be at higher risk of developing colon cancer. Changes in dietary habits, factors associated with migration also contributes to the increase of the risk associated with migration ofAreas with low risk with a higher risk areas.

Risk factors for the development of colon cancer include the following:

Age over 50 years
Increased fat intake
Large polyps
Family history of colon cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Personal history of other cancers
Sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise
Obesity
Diabetes
Smoking
Alcohol
Genetic cancer syndromessuch as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)

People at high risk of colorectal cancer may need to undergo screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopy once every 2 to 3 years. Screening colonoscopy is recommended for anyone who will be 50 years or older. If someone has a higher than average risk of developing colorectal cancer, screening can be started no earlier than 50 years.

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