Colon Cancer

Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

• Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or thin/pencil-like stools
• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic abdominal bloating, cramping or pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• Bowels not emptying completely 

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

• Age – most common after 50, but we are seeing younger patients with colon cancer so the American Cancer Society has changed the age of first colonoscopy to 45. 
• Family history of polyps or colon cancer 
• Low fiber and/or high fat diet
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Obesity 
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking 
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Colon Cancer Can Be Prevented

Regular screening is the key to preventing colon cancer, which is considered a slow-growing cancer. A colonoscopy detects polyps in the early stages, before they become cancerous. While the rate of growth varies from person to person, some small, non-cancerous polyps can take 10-15 years to develop into cancerous tumors, while others can grow and spread more quickly. Regular colonoscopies are essential in finding and removing polyps before they develop into cancer, along with a healthy diet, exercise and avoiding smoking. 

Colon Cancer Surgery

Dr. Anthony Vine has performed many successful, laparoscopic colon cancer surgeries, which almost never need a colostomy bag. He sees patients for consultations at the Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York located at 1010 5th Avenue in New York City. 

For more information on this minimally-invasive procedure visit our overview of Laparoscopic Colon Cancer Surgery.