Abstract
This paper gives general information about colon cancer including its signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The paper defines colon cancer (also called colorectal or large bowel cancer) as cancerous growths in the colon and the rectum.

Outline:
Signs and Symptoms
Causes/ Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment

From the Paper
"When colon cancer is suspected, barium enema x-ray or colonoscopy is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis and to find out the exact location of the tumor. For the barium enema x-ray, the patient is given an enema with white chalky liquid containing barium; it helps to outline the large intestine, and the tumors are then detectable as dark shadows on the x-rays. Colonoscopy consists of a procedure in which a long flexible tube is inserted via the rectum for inspecting the inside of the colon. If colon polyps are found, they are removed through the colonoscope and examined in the lab for cancer and for pre-cancerous growth ("Colon Cancer" Mayo Clinic, 2008). "

Tags:colorectal, bowel

Abstract
The paper discusses colon cancer, a specific type of cancer that has been shown to be influenced by both genetic elements and lifestyle factors. The paper examines how the risk of cancer to the individual may be affected by both, and while nothing can be done about the existence of family history or genetic factors in the make-up of the individual, much can be done to address those lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of this type of cancer. The paper concludes that an increase in physical activity and changes in diet can dramatically lower a person's predisposition to colon cancer.

Outline:
Physical Activity
Diet
Recommendations
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"Overweight, and a lack of activity, is believed to be one of the major reasons for the increase in an overweight condition in the U.S., with increased TV watching linked to excessive weight. Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer, with African-Americans more at risk than whites. Regular screenings are essential because there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease."

Tags:carcinogens, obesity, low-fat, processed, food

Abstract
This paper discusses colon cancer, with emphasis on the difficulties of diagnosis and the wide range of options available for early detection. It considers family history and genetic factors and looks at the pros and cons of the various diagnostic tests available, including a few still in development. It covers ways to detect a genetic predisposition to the disease. Since colon cancer often does not give early symptoms, it emphasizes the need for careful monitoring, especially in people particularly susceptible to this disease. The paper describes how colon cancer is treated once diagnosed.

From the Paper
"Colon cancer is the second-highest occurring cancer in the United States, beaten out for first place only by lung cancer. In medical terms, the colon includes the entire large intestine (Columbia Ency, 2004).
Colon cancer can have several contributing causes. Diets too high in fat and not high in fiber sources, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grain, correlates with a higher incidence of colon cancer. However, it is also more common in anyone with a family history of colon cancer, and even a history of cancer in the female reproduction system. Polyps in the colon and a medical history of ulcerative colitis are risk factors."

Tags:polyps, colitis, colonoscopy

Abstract
This paper describes what colon cancer is and looks at its etiology. Symptoms and treatments are then discussed, followed by a study of the prognosis of the disease. Screening methods and early detection methods are then presented.

From the Paper
"As a malignant neoplastic disease, colorectal cancer affects the large intestine and is characterized by melena, a change in bowel habits and the passing of blood. Malignant tumors of the large bowel usually occur after the age of fifty and are slightly more frequent in women than in men. The high incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States suggests that a diet high in refined carbohydrates and beef and low in roughage may be a causative factor. The risk of large bowel cancer is increased in chronic ulcerative colitis and especially in familial polyposis of the colon, meaning that it can be inherited."

Tags:etiology, disease, treatment

Abstract
Cancer is a cause of alarm. And colorectal cancer like any other cancer is a cause of alarm because it kills more than 50,000 people each year, making it second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths each year. Yet it is highly preventable, through a healthy lifestyle, and regular screening to prevent the minor irregularity in the body to develop into some malignant growth. Regular medical examinations are very important, once the candles of the fortieth birthday are blown out. The following five-page undergraduate paper is a brief study about the causes, symptoms, and patterns of occurrence of the colorectal cancer, with specific reference to its occurrence among women at age 40 and above.

Abstract
The paper examines the adenoma to carcinoma sequence proposed by B. Volgenstein and E.R. Fearon. The paper explains how this model acts as a basis for understanding the mechanisms which are thought to cause eighty per cent of sporadic colon cancers and cases of familial adenematous polyposis. The paper also describes an alternative pathway resulting in microsatellite instability and thought to underlie cases of hereditary non polyposis colon cancer. In addition, the paper looks at the molecular events involving mutated mismatch repair enzymes.

From the Paper
"Colorectal cancer causes approximately 15,000 deaths per year in the U.K and about 30,000 individuals are diagnosed with it each year making it the second most common cause of death from cancer. Of these, about 70% are colon cancers which affect men and women and are much more prevalent in the Western World than India or Asia. About 25% of colon cancers occur where there's a family history of it but only 5% are due to known familial syndromes. These include Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); a mendelian dominant disorder which sees a germline mutation of APC and hereditary non polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC); a disorder in which germline mutations in mismatch repair enzymes are caused. The other 20% of clusters of colon cancer in families are unexplained but postulated risks are "mild" APC and mismatch repair gene mutations or polymorphisms of genes involved in nutrient or carcinogen metabolism and also non genetic factors. The main proportion of colon cancer though arises from sporadic adenomatous polyps (75%)."

Tags:mismatch, repair, genes, enzymes, germline, mutation, adenoma, carcinoma

Abstract
This paper researches the processes of colorectal cancer screening in African-American women and discusses serious issue of the the lack of utilization among African-American women aged 50 and older of colorectal screening implements.

Articles:
Colon Cancer Screening in African American Women
Elderly African American Women's Knowledge and Belief About Colorectal Cancer
Colon Cancer Screening Among Older Caregivers

From the Paper
"The sample size selected represents the sample most relevant in this case, as comprehensive information was gathered from previous studies directing the researcher to the correct sample size and population demographics for this particular study. The researchers make logical conclusions and the study presents multiple implications for future research in the health care arena. The research conclusions may apply to multiple patients facing educational barriers to healthcare screening and treatment. This research suggests that nursing practice would benefit by understanding the needs of divergent populations and accommodating their educational and informational needs accordingly. Knowledge about a particularly groups beliefs and concerns that may prevent adequate treatment can help guide nursing protocols and patient delivery in the future. "

Tags:health, internal, colon, screening, cancer

Abstract
This paper discusses how colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US and Canada and how it is vital to alert ourselves to this problem, so that we can help all those effected and prevent future generations from suffering and dying from the disease. In particular, the paper contends that the key to avoiding this cancer may be the person's lifestyle, and their nutritional intake. It looks at how the main nutrients that seem to be getting the headlines in relation to colon cancer are red meat, fibre, and folic acid, and as such, this paper focuses mainly on these headlines.

Outline:
Exercise
Healthy Diet
Red Meat
Fibre
Folate
Calcium, Vitamin D & Antioxidants
Lifestyle
Education & Screening
Looking to the Future

From the Paper
"Another important nutrient, or more accurately vitamin, is folate [22,23]. Folate, and its synthetic form, folic acid, play critical roles in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, in addition to aiding many areas of our metabolism [22,23]. Since cancer is almost always caused by some sort of damage to the cells genetic material, it is easy to understand that reduced intakes of folate can increase the risk of colorectal cancers, and experimental research seems to demonstrate it as well [22-24]. Conversely, increased intakes of folate are associated with reducing the risk of colorectal cancer by 50-60%, especially in people who consumed above the recommended intakes of alcohol [23,24]. There is still the matter of further human medical investigations to be done, as currently much of the positive folate outcomes detailed, are from researches done with animals [23]."

Tags:red, meat, fibre, folic, acid

Abstract
This paper explains that prostate cancer is the most frequent non-dermatological cancer in men in the United States and it is second to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The author points out that, as with other cancers such as breast and colon cancer, which have a familial clustering pattern; prostate cancer cases are believed to be due to a high risk of inherited genetic factors or perhaps even a susceptibility gene. The paper relates that increasing incidence of prostate cancer may be due to better detection, greater awareness on the part of the public of the condition and perhaps even a greater life expectancy with a decrease in the number of competing causes of death rather than a true increase in the prevalence of prostate cancer on the whole.

From the Paper
"It is interesting to note that maternal cancers also seem to have an affect on the risk of prostate cancers. It is felt that risk of prostate cancer is higher in men with a family history of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer in a primary relative. This was only reported out in two studies, however, and other studies failed to find any association between family history of female breast cancer and greater risk of prostate cancer. This perhaps may be explained by the questionable increase in prostate cancer in men with BRCA 1 / 2 mutations in the setting of a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. "

Tags:cause, familial-clustering, environment, longevity

Abstract
The paper looks at the research that reveals that certain environmental factors and heredity have both shown strong associations with the development of cancer, but emphasizes that they cannot be considered sole causes. The paper outlines the recent trends that indicate an increased recognition of hereditary in the development of cancer, especially breast and colon cancer.

From the Paper
"What the researches and controlled investigations have shown so far is that certain environmental factors were found in incidences of cancer but whether they alone were responsible for causing the cancer has not yet been determined. For example skin cancer has often been associated with solar radiation but whether several other factors have also been found to affect cancer causation such as ethnicity, pigmentation and family history. Hence while strong association may exist, it certainly doesn't prove causation. The same stands true for the connection between heredity and cancer.
"Heredity or genes have shown strong association with development of cancer in many cases but since they appear along with other possible causes, it cannot be said if heredity alone is responsible for certain types of cancer. Hereditary causes are just as much to blame in cases of some cancers as environmental or social factors are in others. For example smokers have often heard that smoking leads to lung cancer. But lung cancer is found just as commonly among non-smokers. But research shows that "among heavy smokers,..., the innate predisposition to bronchogenic carcinoma is, on average, some nine times higher among those who do than do not develop the disease in a lifetime." (Nery, p. 206) Among smokers too, some other genetic or environmental factors may put them under even higher risk."

Tags:genes, environment, family, history