Transcript Colon Cancer

Lot in Life
By
Sindy Morales & Benjamin Enyinnaya
Topic: Your partner has been diagnosed with
Colon Cancer
Psy (2070): Human Growth and
Development
Professor: Angela Taylor
May 2, 2012
Abstract
 This presentation focuses on providing a
description and definition of colon cancer.
Also, it identifies a specific local
community resource, such as phone
numbers and contact information, and
program details that are available to
support a family in colon cancer situation.
Colon Cancer
 The colon is the longest part of the large
intestine and the lowest part of the digestive
system.
 Cancer is a class of diseases characterized
by out-of-control cell growth, and colon
cancer forms when this uncontrolled cell
growth initiates with cells in the large
intestine.
Location of the Colon:
 The digestive system is made up of the
esophagus, the stomach, and the small and
large intestines. The small intestine extends
from the lower end of the stomach to the large
intestine, and the large intestine extends from
the end of the small intestine to the anal
opening. The large intestine has two parts: the
first part is the colon, which is about six feet
long, and the last part is the rectum, which is
between six and ten inches long.
Community Source
 Maryland Colorectal Cancer Control
Program provides information for colon
cancer screening. This agency is located in
the Department of Health and mental
Hygiene.
Center for cancer Surveillance and control
201 W Preston Street,
Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel: 1(800) 477-9774
Diagram the Colon Cancer:
Fig 1
Causes of Colon Cancer
 Cancer is ultimately the result of cells that
uncontrollably grow and do not die. Normal
cells in the body follow an orderly path of
growth, division, and death (apoptosis).
Video I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMB44V
KKVLQ
Statistics:
 1n 2010, the American Cancer Society
estimates that 102,900 new cases of colon
cancer were diagnosed in the United
States. Although colon cancer is among
the most common forms of cancer, the
number of new cases and the number of
deaths attributed to the disease have
declined in recent years due to improved
screening and diagnostic techniques.
Risk Factors:
 Age: Most people who have colon cancer are over age fifty,
although the disease can affect a person at any age.
 Personal history: People who have had colorectal cancer
before and women who have had ovarian, uterine, or
breast cancer are at a slightly increased risk of getting
colon cancer.
 Ulcerative colitis: People who have ulcerative colitis,
inflammation of the lining of the colon, have an increased
risk for colon cancer.
 Diet: Colon cancer is associated with a diet that is high in
fat and calories and low in fiber.
Symptoms:
 A change in bowel habits
– Diarrhea
– Constipation
– Narrowing of the stool
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Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
Cramping or gnawing stomach pain
Decreased appetite
Vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Diagnosis:
 Rectal Examination: Wearing thin gloves, the doctor puts a
greased finger into the rectum and gently feels for lumps.
 Proctoscopy: Looking inside the rectum and lower colon
with a special instrument called a sigmoidoscope.
 Colonoscopy: look inside the rectum and the entire colon
with a special tool called a colonoscope.
– Video II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXCYHjbKenA&feature=related
Stages:
 Stage 0 or carcinoma: Carcinoma in situ is very early
cancer.
 Stage I: At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the
innermost lining of the colon to the second and third layers
and involves the inside wall of the colon.
 Stage II: Cancer has spread outside the colon to nearby
tissue, but it has not gone into the lymph nodes or beyond.
 Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it
has not spread to other parts of the body.
 Stage IV: At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the
colon to other parts of the body
Treatment Options:
 Surgery
 Radiation Therapy
 Chemotherapy
 Biological Therapy
Surgery:
 Surgery is the most common treatment for all
stages of colon cancer. A doctor may remove the
cancer using one of the following procedures:
– Local excision
– Bowel or colon resection
– Colostomy
 Side effects
– Patients are often uncomfortable during the first few
days after surgery, but the pain can usually be
controlled with medicine.
Radiation Therapy:
 Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy
x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumor
 Side Effects
– Tiredness
– Skin reactions in the treated areas
– Loss of appetite.
Chemotherapy:
 Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill
cancer cells. Most anticancer drugs are
injected into a vein (IV) or a muscle; some
are given by mouth.
 Side Effects
– Infections
– Tiredness
– Temporary hair loss
– Mouth sores
Biological Therapy:
 Biological therapy tries to get the body to
fight cancer. It uses materials made by the
body or made in a laboratory to boost,
direct, or restore the body’s natural
defenses against disease. Biological
treatment is sometimes called biological
response modifier (BRM) therapy or
immunotherapy.
Challenges of Colon Cancer
 Emotional
 Psychological
 Financial and
 Legal Status
Grants

Both the state and federal government offer
grants to:
-Low SES families &
-Uninsured Maryland residents for cancer
diagnosis and treatment.
Alleviating Colon Cancer
 Having explored this topic; our group has
decided that surgery would be a better
way of resolving or alleviating colon
cancer condition. The reason why surgery
was chosen is because the side effects
are less compared to chemotherapy,
biological or radiation therapy. Although
the patient will be uncomfortable
medication will take care of the pain.
Citation
 Berk, Laura E. (2011). Exploring lifespan development. Boston, MA: Allyn
& Bacon.
 Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) (n.d.). In cdc.gov. Retrieved
April 30, 2012, from
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dcpc_Programs/default.aspx?NPID=4&PID=206
 Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening, & Treatment ProgramColorectal
Cancer Screening (n.d.). In Maryland.gov. Retrieved April 30, 2012, from
http://fha.maryland.gov/cancer/crc_screening.cfm
 Cancer Fund (n.d.). In Maryland.gov. Retrieved April 30, 2012, from
http://fha.maryland.gov/cancer/mcf_home.cfm
 Survivor Learns to Live with Colon Cancer (n.d.). In Cancer.org. Retrieved
April 30, 2012, from
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SurvivorshipDuringandAfterTreatment/St
oriesofHope/survivor-learns-to-live-with-colon-cancer