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Colon Cancer Resource


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History of Colon Cancer

A family history of colon cancer for both men and women is a high risk factor. You too are at high risk if any of your direct ancestors have had colon cancer. It is important to learn everything you can about the causes of colon cancer if this is the case. And then do everything you can to prevent the disease.

Colon cancer occurs due to development of an abnormal mass of tissue in the colon or large intestines. This mass of tissue is called a tumor. You might see significant changes in bowel habits when you have a tumor; either in the consistency of stools or have frequent bloody stools.

History of Colon Cancer treatment

The history of colon cancer began long before chemotherapy. Colon cancer and tumors were first treated with alternative therapies. Some empirical data proved their effectiveness. But modern day science and medical institutions did not believe they were good enough. This is how science progresses.

These institutions criticized these treatments for insufficient scientific backing and proof. Some alternative therapies showed some effectiveness in preventing recurrent colon cancer and increasing colon cancer survivability. Alternative and herbal remedies were mostly abandoned as conventional medicine became popular in 'Western' medicine. Alternative therapies are used increasingly today alongside chemotherapy.

Alternative Therapies

Here are some alternative treatments used to treat colon cancer.

  • Dietary modifications - These involved a change in dietary habits. A high fiber diet low in fats and calories was recommended. This diet also made it easy for the patient to eliminate body wastes.
  • Colon cleansing - This involved hydrotherapy, enemas and other methods of ridding the colon of wastes.
  • Herbal treatments - Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat ailments. This is the oldest treatment method we know of. Some chemotherapeutic drugs were developed from traditional herbal remedies.
  • Meditation - Meditation is considered an important tool of self healing and self regulation.
  • Behavioral and psychological approaches - These provide emotional and social support to patients and their families.

There has been a drop in the number of people with the disease over the last decade by using these and other methods to prevent colon cancer.

Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs show good results in preventing formation of colon tumors. The use of calcium, selenium and vitamins A, C and E are also shown to be helpful to prevent the disease.

"The most effective method to detect polyps is through screening and detection."

The most effective method to detect polyps is through screening and detection. They can then be removed to prevent colon cancer.

Conventional medical treatment is not enough to ensure survival for all patients with advanced colon cancer. However, new treatments continue to emerge.

The recent history of colon cancer shows the value of behavioral and psychological approaches to colon cancer treatment. Support from family and friends can encourage patients to fight the disease.

Continued research will lead to better understanding of the causes and treatments for colon cancer. This will help in our continued struggle to fight cancer.

Written by Steve Goldner - 4/10/09

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