Brigette Honaker  |  November 27, 2020

Category: Asbestos

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Man has abdominal pain sitting on edge of bed

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colon cancer kills more Americans than almost any other cancer that affects both genders. However, the rate could be greatly reduced with a better understanding of the causes of colon cancer. Age, genetics, and lifestyle all may play a role. There is also evidence to suggest that exposure to asbestos could contribute to a person’s likelihood of developing asbestos colon cancer, asbestos lung cancer as well as other cancers.

What is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a disease that causes the cells in the body, starting with the colon or rectum, to grow out of control. Colon cancer is also called colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is most commonly found in adults over 50 and affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, according to the CDC.

While colon cancer used to be rare in young people, diagnoses in people under the age of 50 have been on the rise. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, cases of colorectal cancer in all age brackets are expected to increase by 90% by 2030. Many of these cases are expected to be diagnosed in those under age 50. As of 2020, approximately 20% of colorectal cancer patients are between the ages of 20 and 54.

As many people don’t think to get screened for colon cancer until they are in their 40s or 50s, cancer may progress past the point of being treatable before it is ever diagnosed. Additionally, some 30% of people are behind on their screenings. Although colon cancer can take years to develop, frequent screenings are one of the best ways to catch the condition in time.

The colon is the large intestine or large bowel and is connected to the anus via a passageway called the rectum. Abnormal growths called polyps can grow on the colon or rectum, and some of those polyps may develop into cancer. The polyps may be present for years before cancer develops. However, removing the polyps before that point can prevent colon cancer from developing.

What is the Survival Rate for Colon Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), five-year survival rates can be misleading. Rather than letting patients know how long they will live, these rates show the likelihood that a person with colon cancer will live for five years after being diagnosed relative to someone without cancer.

The ACS further breaks down these rates relative to three different stages of colon cancer: localized, regional, and distant. The stages are determined by how far cancer has spread from its origin point in the colon or rectum.

With this information in mind, the five-year relative survival rate averaged across the stages is 63%. For those with localized colon cancer, the relative five-year survival rate is 90%. For those with regional cancer, the rate is 71%, and for those with distant colon cancer, it drops to 14%.

How to Prevent Colon Cancer

According to the CDC, many colon cancer deaths could be prevented by more widespread colorectal screening. These screenings can find polyps before they’ve developed into cancer so that they can be removed. Screening can also detect colon cancer at an earlier stage, making it more likely that treatment will be effective. People over age 50 are advised to receive routine colorectal screenings to catch any polyps before they become a more serious issue.

While there is little research into how diet affects the development of colon cancer, eating a diet low in animal fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may reduce your risk for the disease. According to the CDC, regularly taking low doses of aspirin can help prevent colon cancer and other cardiovascular diseases depending on age and risk factors.

In general, to limit your chances of developing colon cancer, the CDC recommends limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco, and increasing physical activity.

What are the Causes of Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is caused by a mutation in the DNA in cells in the colon or rectum which causes them to grow uncontrollably. These cells may be destroyed by the immune system, but they can form tumors if they survive. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America CTCA), the exact cause of these mutations is unknown. However, there are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to develop colon cancer.

First, genetics play a role. Although the reasons for this are unknown, people with a family history of the disease may be more likely to develop it themselves. Your family history may also determine when you should start being screened.

For instance, if you had a family member die of colon cancer at age 50, your doctor may recommend you begin screening at 40. Black people and those with a familial history of adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer may also be at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Second, lifestyle may also influence how likely you are to develop colon cancer. Smokers, heavy drinkers, and those with a sedentary lifestyle may be at greater risk.

Finally, your risk of developing colon cancer may be increased for more general reasons. Of course, those over the age of 50 are at greater risk, as are those with a history of colon cancer or polyps. So are obese individuals, those with type-2  diabetes, and those with a history of inflammatory bowel disease.

What Are Symptoms and Risk Factors of Colon Cancer?

In colon cancer’s earliest stages, many patients don’t experience any symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Some changes that may be signs of this cancer include:

  • A change in bowel habits that doesn’t resolve, such as diarrhea, constipation or stool consistency
  • Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
  • A feeling that the bowel isn’t completely emptied after having a bowel movement
  • Cramps, gas or abdominal pain
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss

While it’s not possible to predict who may develop colorectal cancer, certain risk factors may play a role in its development. These include:

  • Family history. If you have a blood relative who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you have a greater risk of developing it, too.
  • Poor dietary choices. A low-fiber, high-fat diet with an emphasis on red meat and processed meat products may increase your colon cancer risk.
  • Obesity. Not only is the risk of developing colon cancer greater among obese people, but obese patients are more apt to die of the disease.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. People who don’t participate in regular physical exercise are more likley to be diagnosed with cancer.
  • Diabetes. Diabetics or those with insulin resistance tend to have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Smoking. Smokers have a greater risk of nearly all cancers, including colon cancer.
  • Heavy alcohol use. When the body is required to process large amounts of alcohol over a period of time, the extra stress on the organs may cause a greater risk of colon cancer.

Can Colon Cancer Be Caused By Asbestos?

Woman lays down on couch holding her stomach in pain

Asbestos exposure may be a risk factor for several forms of cancer, including colon cancer. Asbestos is a type of mineral which was previously used for industrial purposes due to its natural resistance to heat, fire, electricity, and chemical corrosion. Although these qualities made asbestos a useful material for insulation, drywall, automotive breaks, and other items, the mineral has since been found to be highly carcinogenic.

A study on the possible link between asbestos exposure and colon cancer found that while there is evidence to suggest that asbestos exposure may contribute to colon cancer development, there isn’t sufficient proof to definitively connect the two. However, the study did offer reasons for a possible connection.

The study found a history of asbestos fibers in the colons of asbestos workers who had been diagnosed with colon cancer. However, no such fibers were found in the colons of those with colon cancer who hadn’t been exposed to asbestos. Also, a study conducted on rats who were exposed to asbestos found an increase in polyp growth. However, other similar animal studies have failed to produce colon cancer after asbestos exposure.

A 2008 study on the potential association between asbestos exposure and colon cancer found that people who exposed to asbestos at their workplace for at least five years were more than 50% likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who did not work in asbestos-related fields.

Workers in shipyards, on railroads, in construction or roofing, or in factories and refineries may be at risk of coming into contact with asbestos on the job. Other at-risk occupations include firefighters, insulators, miners, people who work in textile or steel mills, and hair dressers.

What Other Cancers Are Linked To Asbestos Exposure?

Unfortunately, colon cancer may not be the only type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The material has been linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Lung cancer is typically seen in cigarette smokers, but can also be caused by asbestos exposure. After asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may remain lodged in the lungs where they cause long-term scarring, inflammation, and eventually cancer.

Mesothelioma is a unique form of cancer affecting the linings inside the body – most commonly the lining of the chest and abdomen. In addition to its unique targets, mesothelioma is unusual because it is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also linked asbestos exposure to cancers of the larynx and ovaries. Limited evidence links asbestos to cancers of the stomach, pharynx, and colorectum.

Unfortunately, asbestos related cancers have a long latency period – meaning that the time between exposure and cancer diagnosis may be decades. This means that individuals who were exposed to asbestos on the job may not know exactly how the exposure will impact them until 10 to 40 years in the future.

Can You File a Colon Cancer Lawsuit for Asbestos Exposure?

While there may not be definitive proof that asbestos exposure causes colon cancer, a lawsuit alleging that your colon cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos may still net you compensation. It’s possible that the company responsible will settle the claim, or you may be able to convince a jury that asbestos-exposure caused your cancer. Either way, if you developed colon cancer after being exposed to asbestos, an attorney may be able to help you file a lawsuit.

Join a Free Asbestos Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you have be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease in the last 4 years, you may be able to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses and other costs by joining a free asbestos lawsuit investigation.

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