EXPLAINER: What is colon cancer and how does it affect the body?
Tanner Martin succumbed to colon cancer five years after he was diagnosed with the disease. He was only 30 years old.
Before he passed away, the social media influencer shared a pre-recorded video announcing his death. He highlighted how he "had a heck of a life" and thanked his followers "for all the love and support" they showed him.
Martin was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2020. During those years, he has been documenting and sharing his journey with the disease.
Colon cancer is indeed a serious health issue and should be regarded with much urgency and attention. Here's what you need to know about it—from its warning signs to treatment options.
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the large intestine, which is the final part of the digestive tract.
"It usually develops slowly over years, beginning as benign polyps that can transform into cancer if not detected and removed early," radiation oncologist Jickson Flores told PhilSTAR L!fe.
Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that develop on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
According to him, the risk of developing colon cancer increases with age—typically over 50. He said other factors that can possibly trigger this disease include family history, genetic syndromes like the Lynch syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Cancer specialist Jaarmy Rebugio added that it can also be caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as consuming high amounts of processed food and red meat, smoking, and drinking of alcohol.
Leading an inactive or sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the disease, she shared.
Signs and symptoms
Colon cancer can be difficult to detect without medical assistance, especially in the early stages. However, there are some signs and symptoms that you may want to keep in mind if you think that you may be at risk for this type of cancer.
Necy Juat, head of the Medical Oncology Section at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, noted that the common warning signs include persistent changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss or fatigue, abdominal pain or cramping, and sensations that the bowel doesnt empty completely.
Unexplained anemia and bloatedness should also be looked into, according to Rebugio.
Treatment options
If you've been diagnosed with colon cancer, there's still hope for you to recover from the disease.
"Treatment depends on the stage. Multidisciplinary collaboration and intervention is paramount. Early-stage colon cancer is primarily treated with surgery," Flores explained.
"For more advanced stages, chemotherapy is usually part of the treatment. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are options in select cases," he added.
While radiation therapy is also an option, Rebugio said that it is more used if you've been diagnosed with rectal cancer, which is closely related to colon cancer. This treatment uses high-energy radiation like X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
More than this, early detection can make all the difference in beating the disease, which is why it's important for you to mind the signs.
"Screening is important, as colon cancer can be cured when diagnosed early," Rebugio said.
But as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, and Juat advised that it's important to eat more fibers, exercise and maintain healthy weight, avoid smoking and limit alcohol, and consider genetic testing if family history is strong.
