Colon cancer
Colon cancer, cancer that originates in the colon, is now considered a kind of cancer that is preventable, through the use of regular colonoscopies.[1][2]
The gastro-intestinal tract's last stage is the Colon, alternately known as the "large intestine". Human colons are about one metre long. It ends just inside of the anus. The remains of food that has passed through the digestive processes in the small intestine is a slurry, full of water. The colon extracts that water, prior to excretion. To retain the body's liquid balance water needs to be extracted, before excretion.
The inner lining of the colon can develop bumps, called "polyps".[1][2] These polyps are not cancerous, but can become cancerous. Because the gastro-intestinal tract is hollow medical personnel can visually inspect it, with a tube called a colonoscope. In the late 20th century it became standard medical practice to regularly inspect people's colons with a colonoscope, equipped with tools capable of snipping off precancerous polyps.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1
"Colon cancer: Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. 2024-12-19. Archived from the original on 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
Colon cancer can happen in any part of the colon. An exam of the whole colon using a long, flexible tube with a camera is one way to detect colon cancer and polyps. This exam is called a colonoscopy.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
"What Is Colon Cancer?". Cleveland Clinic. 2017-09-08. Archived from the original on 2026-06-13. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
Polyps in your colon can become cancerous. Cancerous polyps may grow from your colon’s inner lining to spread to other areas of your body. Healthcare providers can do tests, like colonoscopies, that can detect colon polyps before they become cancerous. The tests also detect cancerous colon polyps.