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Colon cancer is the term used for a condition or cancer that occurs in the large intestine or colon (as well as the name suggests). The large intestine is located in the lower part of the digestive tract system. Click in here to find out where is the position or location of your colon in the digestive system. The next question is "What are causes of colon cancer?"! (Read also about how do you know if you have this disease, before continuing).
Talking about cancer in the colon, then the conversion is also referred to a term what we call as rectal cancer. Unlike colon cancer, rectal cancer starts develop or occurs in the rectum.
But together, colon and rectal cancers are often referred to colorectal cancer (it is familiar term used for a condition or cancer that affects colon and rectum).
So, what are causes of colon cancer?
In many cases, there are still unclearly answers for what exact causes or factors that can cause colon cancer. But it is clear that there are some healthy cells in the large intestine (colon) become altered when the cancers in the colon occur.
In order to keep the body functioning or working normally, there are healthy cells that naturally grow and divide. But sometimes, this process doesn’t work properly -- in other words, sometimes these cells can grow out of control, even these cells keep dividing when the body doesn’t need new cells.
In the rectum and colon, the over growth of these cells may lead to precancerous cells that occur in the lining of intestine, which then over time may become cells of cancer. Therefore, as earlier as possible of finding these precancerous cells will be so useful for the prevention and treatment!
Polyps (precancerous cells)
In most cases, colon cancer starts with polyps (precancerous cells) on the inside lining of the large intestine (colon). The appearance of polyps can be like mushroom-shaped. The growths of precancerous cells also may be recessed or flat into wall of colon.
You may also like to read colon cancer stages!
Inherited colon cancer syndromes
Many experts believe that there are some inherited gene mutations that can be passed or inherited through families. These inherited genes are believed can higher the risk of colon cancer.
But fortunately, these genes are linked to only small number of colon cancers -- according to a published article in MayoClinic. In other words, although a family history of colon cancer is one of major risk factors that can put you at higher risk of developing this cancer, but this doesn’t mean that colon cancer is inevitable if you have a family history of this disease. Talk and discuss with your doctor for more detailed information about this issue!
If you in doubt whether or not you have a kind of inherited colon cancer syndrome, your doctor may recommend to do a genetic test.
There are some inhered colon cancer syndromes that can put somebody at higher risk of colon cancer, which include:
- HNPCC (or familiar known as Lynch syndrome)! It stands for “Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer”. Individuals who have HNPCC have higher risk of developing colon cancer before the age of 50.
- FAP! It stands for “Familial Adenomatous Polyposis”. It can cause and encourage the body to develop and have thousands of polyps (more polyps) in the lining of rectum and colon. An individual with FAP (especially if her /his FAP is not properly treated) will have higher risk of having colon cancer before the age of 40. Fortunately, familial adenomatous polyposis is a rare disorder!
