Bowel cancer and colon cancer are both types of cancer that can affect the large intestine, but they have some important differences. This guide explains what sets them apart, including their symptoms, causes, treatment options, and risk factors.
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What Are the Anatomical Distinctions Between Colon Cancer and Bowel Cancer?
The large intestine is divided into four sections: the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon.
Any part of the large intestine can be affected by bowel cancer. However, it is referred to as “colon” cancer when it affects the cecum or right side of the colon.
While they both affect the same organ, they are classified as two distinct forms of cancer.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Each Type of Cancer?
Symptoms of colon cancer and bowel cancer include blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
However, they may also result in other signs and symptoms that are specific to each type of cancer.
A sense of abdominal fullness or cramping in the left side of the abdomen may be symptoms of colon cancer, whereas bowel cancer may cause extreme weight loss, severe constipation or diarrhea, or black stools caused by blood.
Individuals should consult their healthcare professional if they have any of these symptoms.
What Is the Cause of Colon and Bowel Cancer?
A variety of factors, including genetic predispositions, can contribute to colon and bowel cancer.
Certain genetic diseases, as well as environmental variables such as smoking or excessive alcohol intake, might raise a person’s chance of developing colon and bowel cancer.
People over the age of 50, as well as those with a family history of the disease, are at a higher risk of developing either type of cancer. A diet consisting primarily of red or processed meats has been related to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
How Can You Reduce Your Chances of Developing These Cancers?
While you cannot change your genetics, there are things you may do to reduce your chance of developing colon or bowel cancer.
A nutritious diet, as well as avoiding red meat, processed meats, and excessive alcohol intake, can help prevent both types of cancer. Exercise has also been shown to boost the body’s natural defenses against disease.
Finally, regular doctor visits and colorectal screenings can help detect any irregularities that could lead to either type of cancer and allow for an earlier diagnosis if it does develop.
How Is Colon or Bowel Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Performed?
Colon or bowel cancer is often diagnosed with one or more imaging procedures, such as an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or endoscopy. After these tests and a biopsy confirm a diagnosis of colon or bowel cancer, treatment options are discussed with the patient depending on their specific condition.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as surgery to remove the tumor, may be used. Depending on the aggressiveness of the cancer, post-operative chemotherapy and radiation treatments may be recommended.
Where is bowel cancer pain felt?
Pain from bowel cancer is typically felt in the abdomen, specifically in the lower abdomen near the rectum and colon. The discomfort could also spread to the back, hips, or pelvis.
It’s crucial to remember that colon cancer pain isn’t always there, and when it is, it’s not necessarily consistent or severe. It is critical to seek medical attention if you are in pain or discomfort.
How bowel cancer is diagnosed?
There are several methods for detecting bowel cancer, including:
A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine using a long, flexible tube connected to a camera.
X-ray of the large intestine and rectum following insertion of a specific contrast material through the rectum: This is an X-ray of the big intestine and rectum following the introduction of a specific contrast substance through the rectum.
Stool sample testing can identify blood in the stool, which might suggest colon cancer.
A CT scan uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed images of the interior of the body.
Blood tests can identify excessive amounts of particular substances that may indicate cancer.
It is vital to understand that a colon cancer diagnosis may only be made following a biopsy, which involves removing a sample of tissue for inspection under a microscope.
Are bowel cancer tests reliable?
The dependability of colon cancer testing varies depending on the type of test and the person being tested. When conducted appropriately, the tests used to identify colon cancer are generally thought to be very accurate and trustworthy.
Colonoscopy, for example, is regarded as one of the most reliable procedures for diagnosing bowel cancer, with a reported accuracy rate of about 95% for finding tumors or polyps in the large intestine.
However, factors such as the patient’s preparation before the test, the expertise and experience of the doctor giving the exam, and the kind and size of the lesion being analyzed can all alter the test’s accuracy.
Stool sample tests for identifying blood in the stool, such as the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), are also regarded as reliable for detecting early indications of colon cancer.
These tests, however, are not foolproof and may produce false negative results, especially if the amount of blood in the stool is small or the cancer is located in a portion of the bowel not well-sampled by the test.
It’s important to remember that bowel cancer tests aren’t perfect, and a positive test result doesn’t always mean you have cancer. A negative test result, on the other hand, does not guarantee that you do not have cancer.
The outcomes of these tests should always be evaluated in light of your specific symptoms and medical history, and any concerns or questions should be shared with your healthcare professional.
How common is bowel cancer?
Colorectal cancer, often known as bowel cancer, is a frequent kind of cancer. It is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Each year, approximately 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and more than 50,000 people die from the disease.
Bowel cancer becomes more common with age, with most instances occurring in those over the age of 50.
It can, however, occur in younger people, and certain lifestyle factors and genetic conditions can increase the risk of developing the disease.