According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 112,340 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2007. About 52,180 people will die from either colon or rectal cancer this year. Even though the number seems high, deaths are actually decreasing.

New screenings that detect polyps that can be removed before they turn into colon cancer may be one reason that the death rate has declined in recent years. But fewer cases have been diagnosed as well. This could be because of improvements in diet and exercise for many people. A bad diet and a lack of exercise are two risk factors.

The risk factors, according to the American Cancer Society are:

* Age: More than 9 out of 10 people are diagnosed with colon cancer are 50 or older.
* A history of polyps: Even if they have been removed, they increase the risk, especially if the polyps were large or if there were many.
* Two diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause inflame the colon create ulcers in the lining. If a person has either disease, her or she should begin screening early in their life.
* Family history: If a close relative has had colon cancer, especially before he or she was 60, the risk is increased.
* Diet: A high-fat diets seems to increase risks.
* A sedentary lifestyle: People who get little exercise have a higher risk.
* Obesity: This also contributes.
* Smoking: Recent studies show that smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely to die.
* Alcohol, particularly heavy use has been linked to colon cancer.

Many people who are diagnosed early during a routine screen may not have noticed any symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, as it advances a person may experience:

* Stomach pain or cramping
* Diarrhea, constipation or other changes in bowel habits
* Blood in the stool
* Bleeding from the rectum
* A change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days
* A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away after doing so
* Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal
* Cramping or steady stomach pain
* Weakness and tiredness

Treatment for all types of cancer is also improving. Many patients are treated successfully with surgery. Surgery will remove the tumors or the polyps. Many patients also require chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

The American Cancer Society has a treatment tool worksheet on its website, www.cancer.org, (Alexa) to help you determine which treatment is best for you. You need to consult with you doctor before making any decisions about your treatment. Your personal physician is always the best person to help you decide how to treat your colon cancer.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on colon cancer.

Staging is used by the doctors to evaluate how much the cancer has invaded the organism and to decide further what methods of therapy to apply.

The colon cancer staging began with the Duke’s classification system which contained three stages: A, B, and C. After a while Astler-Coller brought modifications to this classification, adding one more stage: the D stage. In 1978 Gunderson & Sosin brought other modifications to the classification and a few years ago, the American Joint Committee on Cancer has come with a new classification called TNM containing four stages.

Nowadays the doctors use more often the TNM classification and the Duke’s classification in staging the colon cancer.

Duke stage A refers to the fact that the cancer affects only the mucosa of the bowel and does not get further to other structures of the colon.

Duke stage B1 shows that the cancer has reached the muscularis propria of the colon but did not get through it.

In Duke stage B2 the tumor has got through the muscularis propria of the colon.

In Duke stage C1 the cancer has reached the muscularis propria and has also affected the local lymph nodes.

In Duke stage C2 the tumor has got through the muscularis propria of the colon and has also reached the local lymph nodes.

Duke stage D shows that the cancer has spread towards other tissues and organs.

The TNM staging refers to tumor, nodes and metastasis.

T1: the cancer has affected the mucosa and the submucosa too.
T2: the cancer has extended to the muscularis propria.
T3: the cancer has passed through the muscularis propria and has reached the subserosa.
T4: the cancer has affected all the colon’s layers and it is spreading o the nearby organs.

N0: it means that no lymph nodes are affected yet.
N1: the cancer has affected 1 to 3 local lymph nodes.
N2: the cancer is found in more than 4 local lymph nodes.

M0: it means that no metastases are present.
M1: it means that distant metastasis can be seen.

Another classification which is more accurate contains both the Duke’s and the TNM classification.

Stage I: T1 N0 M0; T2 N0 M0 means that the disease has extended in the inner layers of the colon but it has not spread to other structures yet.

Stage II: T3 N0 M0; T4 N0 M0 means that the nearby structures of the colon and rectum have been invaded but the lymph nodes are clear.

Stage III: any T, N1-2, M0 refers to the fact that the lymph nodes are affected by the disease but the distant organs are still safe.

Stage IV: any T, any N, and M1 means that metastases have appeared, and so the cancer has spread to distant organs like lungs and liver.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about metastatic colon cancer please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/metastatic-colon-cancer.htm

Recent statistics show that colorectal cancer is one of the top three common form of cancer to both men and women, with 130,000 Americans affected yearly, resulting in 60,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer is a fast growing concern. In contrast, it is virtually unknown 100 years ago.

Colorectal cancer is also known as colon cancer or bowel cancer. It refers to cancer in the colon, rectum and appendix. Researchers say that many colorectal cancers develop from polyps in your colon. These mushroom-like growths are usually non life threatening. But some may grow into colorectal cancer over time. You would need a colonoscopy for a diagnosis. Colorectal cancer treatment may require surgery, followed by a course of chemotherapy.

While colorectal cancer has been studied to be one of the most common forms of inherited cancers, the condition of the average digestive system must be taken into consideration. Can it be truly said that the genes in the human body have mutated fast enough in 100 years to cause an inherited disease?

Since many people also show many other digestive disorders, toxins appear to have a lot to do with it. Toxins come from dietary and environmental factors. To prevent colorectal cancer, therefore, intestinal cleansing can be of help. This process can heal herniations of the colon and polyps, and can be quite soothing to the intestinal tract, since it helps to relieve it of its accumulated waste.

Colon toxicity also results from the growth of parasites and unhealthy bacteria. A few ways to avoid this is proper dietary habits such as avoiding too much red meat, refined sugars and processed foods. However; as we are all only human and cannot avoid toxins altogether while living in the modern world, a good colon cleanse will be beneficial.

There are several ways for intestinal cleansing. One example is to take some herbal powders known to help cleanse and heal your colon. You can either purchase them via the internet or from your local health store.

Do note, however, that if you have serious problems or are already on medications, do not start on a intestinal cleanse until you have spoken to your physician. Otherwise, you can expect to feel the benefits of cleansing: less bloatedness, more energy and improved complexion. Cleansing is a great way to go to upkeep your all around health and consequently, helps you to prevent colorectal cancer.

Got constipation, bad breath and weight that you need to lose? You may be having a toxic colon. Sign up to free research and special reports by Sandra Kim Leong on colon and liver cleansing, juice fasting and on detox diet here at http://www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com