Cancer Ribbons, Symbolism and Hope

Cancer ribbons have particular significance and are rich with symbolism.

Most of us are familiar with cancer and the devastation that it can cause in a family and a life. It is one of the most devastating of all diseases, robbing us of families and of friends at an alarming rate. Various causes have been found. As many, quite literally, as their are leaves on the trees, but so far, no cures have been found, although treatment has advanced in many different areas. We support getting a cure as quickly as we can achieve one and many of us wear the ribbon to help draw attention to the cause that we support.

That pink ribbon isn't the only one available for those who want to show their solidarity and their support for finding a cure. The pink ribbon it most often associated with breast cancer in particular.

These ribbons are targeted to show support for various types of the disease. The ribbons which get the most attention of course are those which are offered by foundations such as the multi-national Susan Komen Foundation and others. These are given a great deal more media attention, but there are others out there that need and deserve attention too, from all of us.

The loop of the awareness ribbons are meant to denote community and our place in the community, which is to offer support to those who suffer from various types of this disease. The various types denote your support for those in that community. They come in various colors, with each symbolize a different form of the disease. They are worn to support those who have been lost.

The colors that you most often see and the association that they have are listed below.

Orange -- Leukemia
White--Bone cancer
Teal--Ovarian
Blue--Colon
Violet--Hodgkin's lymphoma
Gold ribbons -- Childhood cancer

Different countries or communities will use the various colors to mean a different type of cancer but the bottom line is this. The ribbon when looped in this way and use on a lapel or even on a website, has come to symbolize our support for those who have endured, survived, passed away, or who are present day victims, in all its many forms.

It is meant to raise our awareness of the numbers of victims that are still out there, to do what we can, when we can, to donate a dollar, or an hour of our volunteer time to fight what remains the most devastating and prolific killer of men, women, and children, all over the world.
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Learning More About Colon Cancer

In the United States alone, 1 in 17 people will develop colon cancer. The colon spreads from your anus to your small intestine. The small intestine is about 4 feet long and twists and intertwines around other organs in the body. It digests and absorbs nutrients and helps to expel waste out of the body. Because the colon lies so close to other structures in the body, if colon cancer is left undetected, it can easily spread through the walls to adjacent structures such as lymph nodes and organs. Eventually, it can spread to organs that are farther away like the lungs.

Cancer occurs when cells transform and grow abnormally. This type of unhealthy growth overwhelms healthy cells and tissues by taking away the oxygen supply, nutrients, and space. This is why it is so important that cancer is detected at an early stage. Prognosis is better if the cancer is caught earlier rather than later.

Causes
As with any other type of cancer, the exact cause of why the cells begin to transform to unhealthy levels is unknown. Most forms of colon cancer are caused by clusters of these abnormal cells on the inside wall of the colon. This form of cancer usually occurs before the patient turns 40, but not always.

Symptoms
Rectal bleeding, fatigue, pale skin, and iron deficiency are all associated with colon cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your physician immediately. It is imperative that you seek help as soon as you show the signs and symptoms. Do not automatically assume that any rectal bleeding you experience is the result of hemorrhoids, because this is not always the case. As for the iron deficiency, rectal bleeding can show up as either being chronic or as an iron deficiency anemia.

If the mass gets big enough, it may actually block the colon off. Symptoms include:

· Abdominal pain
· Abdominal distension
· Unexplained, constant vomiting or nausea
· Unexplained weight loss
· Change in bowel habits or consistency
· Feeling like you still need to evacuate even after you have
· Small, ribbon-like stools
· Rectal pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms, contact your physician immediately. Sometimes the symptoms may take several weeks to several months to become prevalent, so it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately once you have noticed something. Do not automatically assume that your symptoms are caused by something else.

Prevention - The earlier you detect colon cancer, the better the prognosis will be. You need to schedule a regular colon screening so that you have a better chance of detecting this cancer at an earlier stage, especially if you fall into any of the risk categories.

Other things that you can do to help reduce your risk of developing colon cancer are:

· Stop smoking
· Take an aspirin daily (talk to your doctor first because this is not recommended for everyone)
· Maintain physical activity
· Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits daily
· Take a safe dose of folic acid daily

By following these guidelines, you will help to reduce your chances of developing colon cancer.
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Colon Cancer Symptoms and Signs: Know What to Look For

Colon cancer is of major concern today and especially for those of us over fifty years old. There is much written about it of late so you have many resources at your disposal.

Here we will briefly go over some of the things to look out for if you're concerned. Please note that your best resource if you have any concerns is your doctor.

Although colon cancer can be life threatening, this cancer has a good survival rate if caught early enough, so be vigilant. Make sure you have regular checkups and tests as prescribed.

What to look for:

· Have there been any changes in your bowel habits? An isolated event may not be significant but if things have changed enough for you to notice then it is worth checking in with a physician.

· Have you developed diarrhoea that can't be explained by diet or illness?

· Have you developed constipation for unknown reasons?

· Do you feel like when you do move your bowels that they haven't totally emptied out?

· Any bleeding? Blood might appear as bright red or very dark in color.

· Any pain in the abdomen?

· Bloating?

· Cramping?

· Vomiting?

· Have you lost weight without trying?

· Do you feel more tired these days?

These symptoms don't mean that you have cancer so don't let your imagination go into overdrive. Take note and if they aren't a onetime thing or you are concerned, then get yourself to the doctor's office.

Symptoms and signs of colon cancer appear over time. In other words, you may have the illness long before you notice any changes. This is why if you have any questions or concerns, go get yourself tested.

Colon Cancer Prevention

Studies for ways to prevent colon cancer are ongoing but what they do know is that there are certain risk factors for getting this type of cancer. If you recognize yourself as having any of these risk factors, then address them. Be vigilant in getting regular medical examinations.

· Are you over 40? There isn't anything you can do about your age but just be aware that age is a consideration.

· Overweight and don't exercise much? The experts seem to believe that obesity and lack of exercise may contribute to the development of cancer.

· Do you smoke? Smoking is a risk factor for many diseases including colon cancer so this is another reason to stop smoking now.

· Alcohol. Drinking alcohol may be a contributing risk factor to note.

Your health is of the utmost importance. Don't take it lightly. Be aware of your body and notice any unexplained changes. Report them to your doctor and be sure you get regular checkups.

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Information on Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer and Adenocarcinoma-colon. While there are other types of cancer that do form in the colon, colorectal cancer and Adenocarcinoma-colon are the only ones that are actually known by the term cancer. It starts in the area of the large intestine which is the colon itself or in the rectum, which is located at the end of the colon, starting in the glands which are found in these areas.

The American Cancer Society has said that their studies have shown that colon cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths which are due to cancer. Medical professionals state that their studies show this cancer to be the third deadliest form of cancer diagnosed in the United States. It is also one of the cancers which can usually be cured if caught in its early stages.

Because colon cancer is one of the leading or more frequently found forms of cancer, it is important to be checked on a regular basis. It usually develops from benign polyps that become cancerous in time. Being checked on a regular basis, according to your doctor's recommendation, can result in an early detection of these benign polyps which can then be watched or removed before they ever enter into a cancerous stage.

Most cases of colon cancer don't show any symptoms but there are some signs which may reveal or indicate the presence colon cancer.

These include pain and tenderness in the abdomen, bloody feces, changes in the feces, diarrhea or constipation, anemia and an unexplainable loss of weight.

Some forms of colon cancer are thought to be hereditary, so it is doubly important that a person who knows this cancer has been detected in their family make a concerted effort to be checked regularly for cancer and also to be aware for themselves of any possible changes that might indicate this disease. It is better to react and find that all is well than it is to hesitate and put off checking and have the cancer detected in a later form when it could perhaps have been ta

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ken care of much easier if detected earlier.

It was thought for quite some time that a diet high in fiber was a good preventative for colon cancer but medical professionals now claim that more recent studies seem to indicate that diet doesn't seem to be involved.

It is important to live a healthy life style, getting a proper amount of exercise and maintaining a proper bodily weight.

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Initial Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a disease that progresses slowly and is highly unnoticeable. However, early diagnosis and medication for this type of cancer is very important. Having knowledge of the symptoms of colon cancer can be a good way to avoid the fatality of the disease through earlier treatment.

It is not easy to discover if one has colon cancer. This is why doctors advice people over 50 years old to undergo colonoscopy. Even if the results show negative signs for cancer, recurrent examinations every after ten years is also recommended. But if the findings yield a possibility for cancer - even if the chance is small - the patient should submit to colonoscopy every two years.

An early symptom of colon cancer that is often overlooked is excess gas. If you feel bloated and your stomach literally hardens after eating, then this may be a sign of a tumor growing within your system and blocking the path of the waste materials in your body. You may also suffer constipation due to the blockage and this will eventually lead to constant stomach or abdominal pains. Diarrhea and dehydration can also occur due to changes in bowel habits. If your bowel habits remain abnormal for more than two weeks, then this could already be an indication of colon cancer. These pains can be accompanied by swelling.

Bloody stools can also be indication of colon cancer. However, this symptom can also signify other health problems such as UTI or anal fissures. Blood in stools should not be disregarded because it often leads to more complicated diseases if not consulted to a doctor immediately.

Another possible sign of colon cancer is anemia. The type of anemia closely related to cancer is hemorrhage or excessive bleeding. Hemorrhage can be a side effect of past or current medication but if you suddenly acquired the sickness, you may be advised to undergo series of check ups to ensure that you don't have any other ailments.

You may also find your weight abruptly decreasing even if you are not making any effort in dieting. Furthermore, you will start losing appetite and will feel nauseated usually after a meal. These symptoms are similar to other less harmful diseases but if they continue after 24 hours or after medication, you should now seek more extensive diagnosis.

Diagnoses for colon cancer often include a stool test - both stool blood test and stool DNA test; Sigmoidoscopy - examination of the lower colon only; and Colonoscopy - examination of the entire colon. Colonoscopy is the most recommended diagnosis and the most accurate amongst the three. This method uses a thin tube with a camera on one end. The tube is inserted through the rectum and the camera captures the internal appearance of the colon to check for possible tumor growth and any other irregularities. These diagnostic procedures have increased the survival rights of cancer-inflicted people but may no longer be able to help once the cancer has already advanced to higher stage. Abrupt diagnosis after all coincides with abrupt treatment. So if you are experiencing any of these early symptoms of colon cancer, then it is best to contact a doctor now.

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