Belize Medical Associates

1. Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the colon.

The colon is part of the body's digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The first 6 feet of the large intestine are called the large bowel or colon. The last 6 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body).

Risk factors include the following:


• Age 50 or older.
• A family history of cancer of the colon or rectum.
• A personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast.
• A history of ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine) or Crohn's disease.
• Certain hereditary conditions
2. Possible signs of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool.

   These and other symptoms may be caused by colon cancer or by other conditions. Your gastroenterologist at Belize Medical Associates should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
   

   • A change in bowel habits.
   • Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
   • Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
   • Stools that are narrower than usual.
   • General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps).
   • Weight loss with no known reason.
   • Constant tiredness.
   • Vomiting.
3. Tests that examine the rectum, rectal tissue, and blood are used to detect (find) and diagnose colon cancer.

   The following tests and procedures may be used:
   

   • Fecal occult blood test: A test to check stool (solid waste) for blood that can only be seen with a microscope. Small samples of stool are collected and tested at the Belize Medical Associates Laboratory.
   • Colonoscopy: A procedure to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A colonoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the rectum into the colon. Polyps or tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

These tests can all be done at Belize Medical Associates!