Colon Cancer & Diabetes: The relatability
Colon cancer & diabetes are the talks of the town. Scientists are doing continuous research to show the link between both of these disorders. To begin with, we have found that diabetes increases the chances of different types of cancer. Scientists have found that diabetes increases the risk for a higher number of cases and more aggressive cancers. Although there have been some advances in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, colorectal cancer is still a major health concern.
Cancer is a disease that can be deadly, but there are things we can do to reduce the chances of getting it or dying from it. Things like prophylaxis (prevention), evaluation (checking for it), and proper treatment (if we do get it) are important. And we need to keep exploring new ways to fight cancer, especially for people who also have diabetes.
Colon Cancer & Diabetes: Are they linked to each other?
What is colon cancer? Cancer begins when cells grow uncontrollably, leading to the development of tumors. If untreated, colon cancer can either grow into the muscle wall of the colon and spread to neighboring organs or it can end up in the last part of the digestive system – the large intestine where it usually ends.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which your blood glucose, hormones, and cells are not functioning properly. Insulin helps your cells use glucose as fuel. High blood sugar is the result when there is not enough insulin.
Diabetes can affect the structure and function of your bowel. This can cause commonly troublesome symptoms such as constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
In Americans, it is the third most common, and the third leading cause of tumor-related death. Colon cancer affects the large intestine at the end of the digestive tract. Colorectal cancer starts as small polyps that form inside your colon.
Research shows that people with diabetes, who have the Type 2 form, have a 27% greater chance of colon cancer than their nondiabetic peers. People with diabetes also only live 5 years if they are diagnosed with colon cancer.
Regular colonoscopies can identify polyps before they turn into cancer. People with Type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for developing cancerous polyps, and should not skip their screenings.
Colon Cancer & diabetes have a significant link. The exact reason is unclear, but it may be because of an increased amount of insulin in the body for Type 2 diabetes. This leads to sugar problems in the body, which increase total body inflammation and make the body more susceptible to developing cancer.
Colorectal cancer causes: what are they?
Sometimes doctors can’t pinpoint why some cells are cancerous. DNA contains instructions that keep cells growing in an orderly way but when it is damaged, cells will continue to grow and potentially form a tumor.
All colon cancer starts with a healthy cell that suddenly becomes mutated. These mutations lead to an unhealthy cell and can cause cells to die or reproduce uncontrollably.
In the long run, cancer cells usually invade and destroy surrounding tissue, or even travel to other parts of the body to form new tumors.
Colon Cancer & diabetes: The Risk factors
The risk for colon cancer for those with diabetes is higher than for those who do not have diabetes. Diabetes and colon problems go hand in hand. Diabetes increases the risk for colon cancer and rectal cancer. A 2011 meta-analysis with adjustments for obesity, smoking, and physical activity showed that diabetes had an adjusted relative risk of 1.38 and 1.20 for colon and rectal cancers, respectively. Below are the various diabetes and colon problems that increase your risk of colon cancer:
- AGE: The majority of people with Colon cancer are over 50, but there is a larger demographic of underage people. The cause for this is unknown.
- The African-American race has a higher chance of getting colon cancer than other races.
- History of Colon Cancer: People who have had colon cancer or polyps are at a greater risk of having future colon cancer.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions increase your risk of colon cancer.
- Inherited syndromes, such as FAP and Lynch syndrome, can increase your risk of colon cancer if you have an inherited gene mutation.
- A sedentary lifestyle can lead to developing colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity will lower the risk of developing this disease.
- Diabetes and colon cancer: How to manage your medication.
- Those who are obese have a greater risk of getting cancer than those who are of normal weight. There is an increased risk of cancer as well as an increased risk of death for those who are
- obese when compared with people considered “normal” weight.
- Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol may increase your risk of colon cancer.
- Radiation therapy, directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers, can increase your risk of developing colon cancer.
Colon Cancer & Diabetes: The Prevention
Colon cancer and diabetes are most often diagnosed at age 45 for people with average risk factors. However, people with an increased risk of colon cancer should be screened earlier and many commercial options exist. Talk to your doctor about the best screening option for you.
A study by the American Cancer Society found that lifestyle changes could reduce the risk of colon cancer. Take steps to:
- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to get an assortment of vitamins.
- Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all – if you drink, limit the amount of alcohol per day – one drink for women and two drinks for men.
- You can stop smoking by stopping smoking. You can talk to your doctor about how you might be able to quit and they might have an idea or two.
- Try working out for at least 30 minutes a few times a week. If you’ve been inactive, start out at 15 and work your way up to 30 minutes. Talk to the doctor before starting any new workout routine so they can recommend appropriate exercises according to your fitness level and intentions.
- Work to maintain your weight or lose weight. Maintain your weight by combining a healthy diet with daily exercise or lose weight by reducing calories and increasing the amount of exercise you get.
Colon Cancer & Diabetes: The Treatment
To diagnose colon cancer, your doctor places his/her hand on parts of your abdomen and checks for signs of cancer. Your doctor will examine the rectum using a latex glove and insert their fingers into the rectal canal to search for signs of cancer inside. The likely course of action is to order a colonoscopy, which will examine the colon in more detail.
If colon cancer is stage 1, surgery will usually be sufficient to remove the cancer. If colon cancer is stage 2 or 3, surgery plus chemotherapy will usually be required. If cancer has spread, it may be beneficial to use one of these treatment options:
The medical procedures which are done to treat cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy.
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of mortality after being operated on than those without diabetes. For patients of colon cancer, mortality rates within 30 days of colon cancer surgery were found to be higher in diabetics and it was clear that diabetics have the same risk as people without diabetes for other tumor sites.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Colon cancer & diabetes:
1) Can diabetes cause colon cancer?
-Studies show that Type 2 Diabetics have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. They also have a higher chance of developing colon and rectal cancers.
2) What cancers does diabetes cause?
– Diabetes causes liver cancer, pancreas cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer rectum cancer along breast and bladder cancer.
3) Does diabetes affect the colon?
-When people have Diabetes, their digestive tract can change and affect how things move within. This can lead to lower gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal distention, bloating, and abdominal pain.
4) Can diabetes be cured?
-A new weight management study by our scientists will help people with Type 2 Diabetes, resulting in remission. That means the disease is still there.
