Colon Cancer Survival Rates - Know Your Chances

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - When one walks unto a path, he or she will have uncertainty especially if the course they would have to undertake is the road of colon cancer. Most of us don't understand what cancer of the colon really is all about, how it starts or how long for someone with cancer of the colon will live. All people need is a general idea on where they are heading, for people tend to panic if they don't.

The reason why colon cancer survival rates are being written is for everyone to settle down and prevent affected patients from worrying too much. This Article is about a generalization of how patients with cancer of the colon cope up, provided with the not so enthusiastic survival chances.

In regards to the article written and published in the European journal of cancer, the location of the tumor creates a huge impact in colon cancer survival rates. In the United States alone, tumors in the ascending colon or close to the small intestines survival percentage is about 63%. In the descending colon is about 66% and in the transverse colon is at 59%.

Colon cancer survival rates may vary from country to country. In the United States a 5 year survival statistics of one with cancer of the colon is at 62% while at Europe this is only 43%. The quality of treatment maybe one of the biggest reasons of the difference, another is the number of colon cancer screening programs that are implemented. Detection is the primary key in helping treat this type of cancer, for the earlier the detection, the easier for doctors to provide a cure.

Stage and diagnosis have a huge impact in the survival chances of someone with this malignant disease. Researchers conducted and written articles for the A.N.Z. journal of surgery have found out that the five-year survival rate of stage 1 cancer of the colon goes as high as 93%. This probability drops down to 59% when the malignant cancer cells of the colon expand and grow to be classified to stage 3. The 5 year survival rate of someone with stage 4 cancer of the colon goes down to below 20% chance of survival.

Possibility of being cured is not out of reach for someone with cancer of the colon. Everyone should remember that prevention is better than cure. There are numerous things that may increase the risk of having this type of disease. If you see any signs of colon cancer you should immediately seek professional help, for the key to increasing your survival rate is early detection and immediate medication.

For more colon cancer survival rates information, visit Colon Cancer Survival Rates.

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Colon Cancer Survival Rate - Dare To Know Your Chances

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - A colon cancer survival rate refers to the percentage of people who were reported still living after being diagnosed with the cancer about 5 yrs ago.

There are already a lot of Americans that were diagnosed (and still being diagnosed) with cancer of the colon today. In 2005, more than 70,000 men and almost 70,000 women were diagnosed with colon cancer. In addition, more than 25,000 lives from each gender are being taken annually in the US but the fortunate news is, the colon cancer survival rate is also getting higher as the years progress.

The reason for this is the better health care facilities and services, faster treatment and modern advances. Many physicians believe in the fact that if only most cancer cases are detected early, the rate of survival would surge sky high. The same as cancer of the colon - it can be avoided altogether if there is early detection and more people undergoes colonoscopy as one of the procedures to be done to detect colon cancer.

More less intrusive techniques are also being discovered and introduced by doctors and hospitals. The good thing about them is that they are easier to use and takes less time, which makes it very convenient for both the medical practitioner and the patients.

The average over-all colon cancer survival rate for patients in some countries is reported as follows:

• 62% in Australia
• 68% in Korea
• 43% in Europe
• 62% in the United States of America

As mentioned before, the earlier the stage, the better your chances of survival. The colon cancer survival rate may only depend on what stage a patient is diagnosed. The good thing about early detection is that the cancer cells are still confined in a certain small area, making it easier to be removed from the body. In its earliest stage, the rate of survival is over 95%. To increase the rate of survival, regular screening is heavily advised to find and treat the disease in time.

It is said that if Americans were regularly examined for colon cancer, we can save about 25,000 lives each year. That is a lot of people who are given chances to live second lives. Sometimes, when the disease is already there, "prevention" is instantaneously rendered useless. So the best thing that you can do is detect the disease early. Make sure you got the best doctors for the job! You can also decrease the chances of getting the cancer by eating healthy foods and living a healthy life.

There are still a lot of things you need to know about Colon Cancer Survival Rate. Visit Cancer Survival Rates to learn more.

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Colon Cancer Survival Rate - Know Your Chances

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Doctors have a proper way of discussing with the patients the prognosis or outlook of their diseases. Patients or anyone who is infected with a dreaded disease like cancer of the colon may want to know the statistics of people being able to make it past the deadly sickness, or as more properly known, colon cancer survival rate. Most of the time, statistics are based upon a percentage of patients and their 5 year struggle against cancer of the colon. This ratio is based upon people who lived beyond 5 years upon discovery of the malignant tumor.

There are also people who lived beyond 5 years and have been cured of the dreaded cancer disease.
For doctors to get the 5 year survival statistics, a list of people treated at least the past 5 years are compiled and given as a resource for doctors all around the whole world. There are a huge improvement in colon cancer survival rate in the past few years due to the improvement in treatments and ways of detecting this type of cancer.

Survival statistics do not generally mean the possible outcome of a patient's disease, for this was previously recorded outcomes of people who have had cancer of the colon. There are a lot of contributing factors that may affect ones colon cancer survival rate. There are times that the grade of cancer or the genetic changes in ones malignant cancer cell can be a major factor in one's survival chances. Another factor is how the malignant cells respond to the treatment being given. We should remember that survival statistics are just rough estimates on the stage of the cancer you are in. This does not generally mean that if you have a stage 4 colon cancer you will have a huge chance of not surviving for there are a lot of factors that may affect your survival statistics. A doctor would only use these rates to assess the type of treatment you may need in order to be healed.

Colon cancer survival rate differ from stage. As the damage of the malignant cancer cells start to expand to the rest of the body, the chances of one to survive drops down a whole lot of percentages. A stage one colon cancer survival rate at today's time goes up to as high as 90% and drops down to just 70% when it reaches the second stage. Stage 3 survival rate is just ranges from 40-58% and drops down to 10-20% at its final phase.

For more colon cancer survival rate information, visit Colon Cancer Survival Rate.

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Work Towards Colon Cancer Survival With Positive Thinking

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Colon cancer is a particularly traumatic form of cancer but like all forms of cancer, it can be defeated. Colon cancer survival rates are improving and there is no need to accept you are beaten just because a diagnosis has been made. There are many different factors that can play a role in overcoming any form of cancer but always remember that a lot of it starts with you.

It is obvious that no one will beat colon cancer with positive thoughts; there is a serious need for medical assistance. Being diagnosed as quickly as possible is still the best factor in overcoming any form of cancer but once you have been diagnosed, putting your faith in medical practitioners is a good way to go about things. However, you can help yourself and there is no doubt that having a positive mental attitude can give you the strength required to overcome this horrible disease.

You can increase your colon cancer survival chances

There will be days when you are down and depending on the treatment you receive, there will be days when you are drawn out and tired. It is okay to feel tired and you should never push yourself too hard but the right mental approach will always help in the long run. One of the secrets in overcoming conditions like colon cancer or bowel cancer is how you bounce back from the setbacks. Learning about the treatments you may experience and how many people have been through the same process as you can go a long way to giving you the confidence to face up to the challenge.

Work with friends and family

There is a need to accept that your loved ones will also be struggling with the news. Any situation that causes people to face their own mortality is difficult and the thought of losing a loved one can be terrifying. It is therefore beneficial to be able to put on a brave face to your loved ones and show that you are willing to fight this illness. You can act like the cheerleader for your family and friends and by acting together, there is a better chance of pulling through this battle. After all, if you are having a day where you feel down, someone can else can come along and pick you up, helping the positive vibes to remain in the room. Working closely with friends is a great way to keep the momentum up and to ensure that everyone feels confident about beating the illness.

Colon cancer survival is not something you have to go through alone; in fact, it is definitely a team effort. The role of the medical staff that provides the diagnoses and treatments is crucial but so is the support from loved ones around you. The sight of so many people gathering around you to provide support and strength can emphasise the importance of overcoming cancer and this is why having a positive mental approach can make a difference in the way that you and others around you react.

Colon cancer is just one of the many things in life sent to try us but facing up to it with a positive mental approach can lead to positive outcomes. Even for traumatic illnesses like cancer, the healing process can be boosted by thinking positively and remaining upbeat. There will be times when it is hard to raise a smile but finding the strength to battle on is central to overcoming an illness. If you want to learn more about how to remain positive, please visit http://www.coloncancersurvivorstories.com/

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Colorectal Cancer - Chances of Survival

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - If someone is afflicted with colorectal cancer, their chances of survival will depend on several factors. One of them is the pathological history of the patient. If the patient has earlier suffered from adenomas, there will be an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. This will be more so if the polyps are large in number and size. Even if the colorectal cancer that developed earlier was completely removed, the chances of new cancers developing in other areas of the colon and rectum are high.If the patient had the first colorectal cancer at a young age, the chances of this problem recurring will be high.

Another negative factor is a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease also called IBD. If one had had IBD, then one should undergo a screening colonoscopy between eight and twelve years after the diagnosis.

The focus should be on avoiding risk factors and adopting protective measures. Awareness of the important facts about colorectal cancer is the first step. The problem starts with polyp formation. As polyps grow in size, there is a higher risk of their turning malignant. You can understand the significance of the size of polyps from the fact that while the chances of a very small polyp being cancerous is less than one in five hundred (0.2 percent), the figure for polyps of one centimeter size is about one in ten 10 percent). The chance increases with a polyp with a size of two centimeters having chances of becomng cancerous being as high as one in two (50 percent.)

Another risk factor is the history of a quite a few in the family having Colorectal cancer. This indicates a genetically acquired proneness for this disease. Statistics show that about 30 percent of the cases diagnosed are due to genetic factors. The risk is higher if a relative acquires this problem at an age below 60. Understandably the risk become higher if more than one person is associated with this type of cancer. A symptom known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer, or HNPCC also contributes to a high risk of colorectal cancer being developed. HNPCC is known to increase the risk for other types of cancer as well.

Diet also plays a role in causing this problem. People who consume diets rich in fats and calories but low in fiber are at increased risk of contracting this disease.

While a lot of innovative treatments and new drugs have been developed, counseling is also very important in helping people overcome their problems and increase their chances of survival.

Colorectal cancer is a serious problem no doubt but you can cope with it and improve your chances of survival through proper guidance and treatment.

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Colon Cancer Survival Rate - How High Are Your Chances?

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Colon Cancer is a nasty deadly disease and the colon cancer survival rate may just be as nasty once you get to know about them. Depending on the stage where you have been diagnosed, your colon cancer survival rate may either be acceptable or downright shocking. If it's mind-blowing, it may be better to have a heart attack, for when the cancer spreads and metastasizes; the following symptoms may be the worst bodily pain you'll ever experience.

By definition, your colon cancer survival rate is usually based on a five-year period and is mainly determined by the stage of your cancer. From worldwide statistics, your chances of having a long-term prognosis is more likely if the cancer has been detected at the earliest stage possible which is stage zero or the asymptomatic stage. Here comes the despicable thing-like most cancers, colon cancer is a silent killer. You'll never know you have it until it's around its second stage (from which you begin experiencing mild inconvenience upon defecating, digestion, etc). At this time, the treatment plan will no longer be able to completely defeat the cancer and bring you back to your normal life. However, it can impede the fast proliferation of the cancer cells, therefore increasing your colon cancer survival rate to more years than without the treatment.

If the cancer has been detected at the early stage (around 1-2), the chances of surviving until 5 years or more is more likely, especially if the proper treatment regimen is done to you. At this stage, surgery, chemo, and major lifestyle changes must be done and made to prolong your prognosis.

Colonoscopy is very much advisable for stages 1-3, when the cancer has not yet reached the other vital organs of the body and is only confined to your colonic tract. Stage 4 is when the cancer has metastasize to other parts of the body outside the colon-in most cases, the cancer is likely to spread towards your liver first. This is because of the anatomical proximity of the liver to the colon. Once the other parts are affected, your colon cancer survival rate may drastically drop to 20-30 percent even with surgery and other treatments. Thus, you can just imagine how relevant it is to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Generally, over the past few years, cancer research have grown and improved quite substantially compared to the old days. The average survival rate of cancers is now a bit higher than before due to more innovative treatment programs and better knowledge of cancers.

The latest updates from American Cancer Society this year shows that in a five-year colon cancer survival rate:

• Stage 1 has about 74%

• Stage 2 has about 37% to 67%

• Stage 3 has about 28% to 73%

• Stage 4 has about 6%

Note: You may see that stage 3 has much higher survival rate than stage 2. The American Cancer Society states that they have not known the reason behind this yet but this is a factual outcome of the statistical analysis.

What are other factors that will affect your chances of a long-term prognosis and increase your colon cancer survival rate? These and more at Cancer Survival Rates.

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Colon Cancer Survival Rate - Are You A Survivor?

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - The colon cancer survival rate of a patient may be determined by the type of treatment plan he/she is using. Knowing that colon cancer has about an asymptomatic stage followed by 4 disease stages, we should also know that not all colorectal cancers are detected at the earliest stages. In actuality, the truth behind most cancers is that they are only diagnosed once the symptoms become severe to the point that it has affected the daily livings of the patients. Like what is commonly said-cancer is a traitor disease: it strikes when u least expected it and only makes itself known when you have started experiencing all its crazy bout of symptoms. In most cases, the average detection point of colon cancer is when most of the painful symptoms are experienced because this is the time when patients seek medical advice and check up to diagnose the disease. Usually, people get help when the cancer is at the 2nd to 3rd stages.

Since this article will tackle about the colon cancer survival rate with the treatment plan as the determinant variable, we will base our colon cancer survival rate from the stages where most patients ask for help - stages 2 and 3. This is also the time when these is a boost of treatments available to try combating the proliferation of cancer.

Colostomy
The most common treatment advised once the cancer has grown enough to appear on medical laboratory tests and confirm diagnosis is to subject the patient to a colostomy or colon surgery. Surgery is considered a crucial part in increasing your colon cancer survival rate. Since the cancer has not yet infected bigger parts of the colon (or parts beyond the colon) at this time, your five-year colon cancer survival rate is around 70-90%. Patients who were able to survive the surgery and began to display acceptance of the post-operative consequences showed a higher and long-term prognosis after surgery. There is also a number of cases where patients were able to return to their normal lifestyle and survive the cancer. However, there is one major downside of this treatment. Since colostomy means your solid intestinal waste will be excreted from no longer out of your anus but will be out of a surgically made hole on your stomach, it can be extremely inconvenient for many patients. Bowel excretion through your stomach is going to be forever, hence, lifetime maintenance is also needed. For many colon cancer sufferers, the consequences of the surgery seem to be more dreadful than the disease itself, therefore a lot of patients would never dare try the surgery.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the next treatment of choice for colon cancer (and probably as well as for most cancers). It is done by the use of medications to destroy or stop the proliferation of the cancer cells in hopes of prolonging your life. Often, after surgery, a patient may also be subjected to a series of chemotherapy to kill the remaining microscopic cancer cells. Recent studies have shown that with the surgery and chemotherapy combined, there is delay of tumor recurrence therefore increasing your colon cancer survival rate as well (average percentage is around 90%). The effect may not be as substantial if the patient will only rely on chemotherapeutic drugs (average percentage of 60-80%).

Radiation Therapy
Updates have been made in the treatment of colorectal cancer and radiation therapy is now limited to patients whose origin of cancer has started at the rectal part of the colon. Without radiation, there is about 50% risk percentage for patients with rectal cancer, making your colon cancer survival rate a dire 50% as well. Risk is then lowered for 7-10% for patients who had surgery and undergone radiation therapy as well.

Learn more about your Colon Cancer Survival Rate by visiting a jam-packed all about cancer site called Cancer Survival Rates.

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Colon Cancer Survival Rate - Knowing Your Survival Chances

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - Upon learning about colorectal cancer and becoming diagnosed with it, the first thing that probably popped out of your mind is your colon cancer survival rate. Your chances of surviving this cancer may depend upon a few variables including the stage of the cancer, the treatment plan, the extent of lifestyle modifications, your psychological acceptance of this disease and even at which part of the world you're living.

This article will focus on the percentage of your colon cancer survival rate in accordance to the stages of the cancer.

Brief Definition Colon Cancer

The term colon cancer is somewhat confused with colorectal cancer by many patients. However, the truth is that they're almost just the same - with the exception of which section or part of the colon is being affected. Previous debates have come up to an agreement that if the cancer doesn't involve the rectum or the rear portion of the colon then it must be called Colon Cancer, otherwise it's Colorectal Cancer. But then today, most of us (even professional physicians) call it the former regardless of which part of the colon is affected by the disease.

Stages of Colon Cancer

As of today, there are 5 stages of cancer. Some of these stages have sub-stages with them but let's not get too much into those for now. What we'll focus on is the things that we should be aware of about each stage and its accompanying colon cancer survival rate statistics.

Based of factual intestinal anatomy, your colonic tract is divided into 4 layers. From inner to outer, these layers are: Mucosa, Submucosa, Muscularis Externa and Adventitia or Serosa. Beyond these layers come the peritoneum, which is another external part after Adventitia but is no longer considered a part of the mucous membranes. The peritoneum is basically the lining of your intestinal tract, primarily protecting the walls of your colon and giving that smooth passage for food inside the intestine.

Stage 0
On stage 1, there are no outward signs or symptoms of this disease (asymptomatic). At this moment, your tumor is still confined to the mucosa hence symptoms are rare and may not even be felt by the patient. Colon cancer survival rate be up to 100% if the cancer is detected during this time. Needless to say, however, 99.60% of Colorectal patients are unlikely to know they have cancer at this stage.

Stage 1-2
Surviving for 5 years when the cancer is detected at these stages is about 80-90% on most patients. Stages 1-2 are where the cancer shows an evidence of proliferation and malignancy. At this stage, the cancer will extend towards the submucosa, muscularis propria, externa (stage 2a) up to the peritoneum (stage 2b).

Stage 3
Once the cancer goes beyond the peritoneum and spreads towards the lymph nodes, this marks stage 3 phase A of the cancer. With treatments and major lifestyle modifications, your colon cancer survival rate may range from 50-73%.

Stage 4
Stage 4 is the severe stage of most cancers - it is the time when metastasis has occurred and despite the consistency of care and treatment, the likelihood for a patient to survive for 5yrs following diagnosis is only around 28-42%. Metastasis means that your cancer has grown not just in your entire colon but has invaded the other vital parts of your body as well.

Your Colon Cancer Survival Rate is not only limited to the stages of cancer but may vary upon any other factors as well. Try learning more info and get the latest updates about colon cancer at Cancer Survival Rates.

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Colon Cancer Stages - Colon Cancer Survival Rate

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - When someone has experienced having inflammatory bowel disease, there is a huge possibility that the person will have an increased risk percentage of having cancer of the colon. While cancer of the colon is one of the easiest cancer types to be prevented from occurring, colon cancer stages are very decisive to identify because they are most often diagnosed when the symptoms are already inconvenient and bothersome. Colon cancer survival rate is lower when one is diagnosed in the later stage.

Colon cancer stages are divided into four unique stages. Each of these stages varies in colon cancer survival rate. The earliest stage of cancer of the colon is called stage 0. During this stage, the malignant cancer cells are just in the lining or mucosa of the rectum and confined in the polyp. Polypectomy is done in order to remove the cancer cells so that they would not progress on the later stages.

The Stage 1 cancer of the colon occurs when the polyp that contains the cancer cells have evolved and became a tumor that extends to the colon or rectum walls. During this stage, the advisable treatment would have to be the removal of the section of the colon that is considered to be infected by the malignant cancer cells. The five - year colon cancer survival rate for this stage is at 95% chance of cure.

Stage 2 colorectal cancer happens when the cancer tumor has spread and has affected the tissues surrounding the colon. Resection surgery is given to the patient in order to treat them of their current ordeal. Survival rates during this stage are very unfortunate; the statistics is just 60 percent chance of cure.

Stage 3 cancer of the colon is when the malignant cells have spread outside the tissues or the colon and have infected the lymph nodes surrounding the colon as well. The Treatments given to patients at this stage are aggressive in order to cope up with spread of the malignant cancer cells. Aside from the surgical operation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to the patient in order to extend their life and be cured. Rate of survival during this stage drops down to 35 percent.

Stage 4 cancer of the colon occurs when the cancer cells have expanded and infected already the different systems of the body. Aside from the surgical resection and chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery is also done to the other infected parts of the body. Cancer of the colon during this stage drops down in a very poor 3 percent survival rate.

For more colon cancer stages and colon cancer survival rate, visit Colon Cancer Survival Rate.

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Colorectal Cancer Survival Rate

Colon Cancer Symptoms in Women - In the United States, the colorectal cancer survival rate is more agreeable amongst female patients than males. Whether the female patient is from Caucasian or African decent, the colorectal cancer survival rate is around 65%, a tad ten percent higher than their male counterparts whose rate of survival ranges from 53-55% only.

A 5 year colorectal cancer survival rate refers to the number or percentage of people who remain living 5 years after the disease was determined and treated. What most researchers do is go through all the records of cancer patients diagnosed with this type of cancer 5 years ago and count the ratio of those who are alive now to those who have been deceased as a result of the cancer.

According to the relative report released by emedtv for the research they conducted from the year 1996-2002, the colorectal cancer survival rate at:

• Stage 1 is around 90%. The main reason behind this is the same as the reason why most patients during this stage have good prognosis - the disease has not yet spread and is easily controlled by removing the affected part. In the case of cancer of the colon and rectum, the patient will undergo resection of the colon to remove the segment affected with the disease and reconnect the cut ends afterwards.

• Stage 2 and 3 is around 68%. Despite treatment, the rate is still pretty low because the disease has proliferated at this time. The basic fact about cancer is - the wider the spread, the more difficult to eradicate it. Common treatments at this stage are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Although they may help in detaining or slowing the progression of the disease, it may still develop.

• Stage 4 is around 10%. Around 20 percent of all colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed at the last stage. This is a concern of many medical practitioners thus frequent campaigns to increase cancer awareness have become a mission of most cancer societies. Once the cancer cells metastasize, it may heavily affect the most vital organs in our body including the kidneys, liver and spinal cord.

Colorectal cancer sure is a killer disease. Like any types of cancer, it will affect the richest and the poorest and will disregard your position or status in society. Healthy living is what medical practitioners always advise to combat this disease. With colorectal cancer, change in the diet plan is imperative.

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