Information on Colorectal cancer (CRC), Colon cancer, Rectal cancer, Bowel cancer

Colorectal cancer may variously be called bowel cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer or CRC. So everything below may be described as

bowel cancer information,

colon cancer information,

rectal cancer information, or

colorectal cancer (CRC) information

Take your pick. This cancer information overview and associated articles will give you everything you need to know to help you increase your personal odds of beating colorectal cancer - the symptoms, the diagnosis and all the latest cancer options on cancer treatments and therapies - from cancer drugs and chemotherapy to surgery, radiotherapy and complementary cancer therapies; including all the very latest alternative treatments and new therapies and information. We will even cover the causes and colorectal cancer prevention.

This article has been compiled by Chris Woollams from worldwide research and expert sources*

Read the whole article below or just select the part(s) that you are interested in from the list below and click onto that part.

• Why do we get this cancer?
• ‘Official’ causes
• Symptoms and Diagnosis 
• Screening
• Staging
• Treatment options
• Metastatic Colorectal cancer 
• Other Useful Information
• Other influences
• The Diet factor
• Irritation and Inflammation – a precursor
• Building an holistic cancer Therapy programme
• Using this web site to increase you chances of beating cancer.
• Summary
• Other Issues

Why do we get this cancer?

Colorectal cancer is also referred to as Colon Cancer, Rectal cancer or Bowel cancer. It is more common in people over 50 – especially men, although there are increases in other sub-groups like younger, pregnant women.

In the UK colorectal cancer (CRC, or bowel cancer) is the third most common cancer for men and the second most common cancer for women. Globally, the picture is similar.

Although there were some claims in a CRUK report that a better diet nowadays is producing a reduction in this cancer in the UK, we can find little evidence of that in the figures.

In fact the truth is that a modern diet, (along with modern lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, inactivity and even increasing diabetes levels – all of which have been linked to increased risk), is probably making this cancer a great deal more prevalent.

In the EU, 6% of men and women may be affected by the age of 75. Western Europeans may be particularly susceptible due to the combination of inherited risk and a diet often high in fat and low in fibre (de Ferlay et al 2001; Gill & Rowland 2002).

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‘Official’ causes

The ‘official causes’ are polyps (growths) in the colon or rectum; hereditary pre-disposition; a diet high in fat; or Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Medline USA). Other risk factors include smoking, inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption and obesity. People diagnosed with Diabetes have three times the risk.

• Chrohn’s Disease (also called: Enteritis, Ileitis ) causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is just one of a group of diseases called IBS, or inflammatory bowel disease. The disease can affect any area from the mouth to the anus, although it is more commonly found in the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum. Crohn´s disease seems to run in some families. It can occur in people of all age groups but is most often diagnosed in young adults. Common symptoms include weight loss, joint pain, skin problems, fever,  pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhoea. Bleeding The disease can lead to blockages and even malnutrition.
• Ulcerative Colitis (also called: Colitis, Distal colitis, Pancolitis, Ulcerative proctitis) is a disease that causes ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum. It is another form of IBS. In extreme cases where the inflammation causes severe inflammation and even cell death, ulcers can form. The disease can happen at any age usually starting  between the ages of 15 and 30. It tends to run in families. The most common symptoms are anemia, severe tiredness, pain in the abdomen, and even bloody diarrhoea.

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Symptoms and Diagnosis

Early diagnosis can lead to a greater chance of successful surgeryWhen colorectal cancer is diagnosed early there is a much greater chance of successful surgery and cure. However, many individuals with colon cancer have no symptoms until the disease reaches an advanced stage, after metastasizing (spreading) to other organs. (Most commonly to the liver, lungs and/or brain). Symptoms include continuous stomach cramps for six weeks, changed stool habit – especially diarrhoea or constipation - for a similar period, bright red blood in the stool, and unexplained weight loss.

In more severe cases a blockage can occur with resulting symptoms of a ‘bloated feeling’, loss of appetite, constipation, pain and nausea.

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Screening

Screening methods include:

• Stool blood test – looking for signs of irregularities in the stools.
• Sigmoidoscopy – using a light an/or camera joined to a tube to check the rectum and lower colon. Where a camera is used simultaneous pictures may be observed on a TV monitor. As this only examines the lower bowel areas a small scraping of cells (a biopsy) is sometimes taken so that they can be examined under a microscope.
• Colonoscopy – using a small light and camera attached to a longer, very flexible tube and connected to a TV monitor to examine the whole colon. This will need to be empty for the examination, so dietary advice (including a total diet in the last day) is given. Laxatives, and sometimes even a ‘total flush’ may be used. A few cells may be scraped away as a biopsy for examination.
• Barium enema – This involves taking X-Rays of your intestine after a white chalky liquid is pumped through a tube inserted in your rectum. It is important that the intestine is clear, so you will be given laxatives, asked not to eat or drink in the preceding 12 hours and you may even have a tube inserted in your rectum so that warm water may be used to ‘flush out’ the area for examination.
• CEA assay – where the amount of an antigen CEA is measured in the blood. This antigen is released in heightened levels if colon cancer cells are present and a test is used in the USA. Meanwhile, researchers in Giessen Hospital, Germany have confirmed that Pyruvate Kinase levels are also closely predictive of bowel cancer.
• Lymph node biopsy – where tissue samples of adjoining lymph nodes are studied under a microscope to see if there is spread.
• Genetic screening – if you have a strong family history of colo-rectal cancer you might consider a blood test to look for certain ‘at risk’ genetic factors. The most common genetic factors occur in 2 conditions: hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC, now called Lynch syndrome), an inherited disorder with increased risk for several types of cancer; and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited disorder linked to the formation of polyps inside the colon that may eventually become cancerous.
• Sometimes further scans are used, most usually is there is some concern over spread of the cancer, or the doctors are just not obtaining a clear image. For example:

1. Ultrasound  - where a gel is used on your tummy, then a (why is it always so cold?) metal rod is simply passed over the top. Images show on a nearby screen.

2. CT scan – where a number of X-rays are taken to build up a 3D computer picture of whole areas of the body. You will be given an injection and your doctor should discuss allergies, asthma and iodine concerns with you before hand. (NB: Too many CT scans should be avoided where possible. Research from Columbia University (icon Vol 3 Issue 4) calculated that the radiation produced from an annual CT scan risks a 1 in 50 chance of death. ‘The risks of a full body scan are reasonably well quantified’ says Dr David Brenner)
3. MRI scan - similar to a CT scan, this uses magnetism rather than X-rays. You may be given an injection of a dye. No metal objects (necklaces, pacemakers, metal plates from former operations) are allowed.
4. Chest X-Ray – a normal X-ray to see if there is any spread to the lungs.

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Staging

Different staging systems are used in different English speaking countries. Ask your doctor what stage you have and what exactly this means.

Stage 1 is localised in the bowel wall
Stage 2 is where it has spread through the muscle to the outer lining
Stage 3 is where it has moved into the lymph nodes
Stage 4 is where it has moved to other tissues in the body.

There is a system called ‘Dukes’ decreasingly used in the US and UK. The above stages would be Dukes A, B, C and D respectively.
On the TNM system the first and second stages would be T, the third N and the last M.

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Treatment options

Surgery: Where the cancer is in its early stages, surgery may just be enough to clear the cancer out of your intestines. Then, with an improved lifestyle and sensible monitoring, you can hope to remain cancer free for a very long time, if not forever.

Surgery may also be used to clear blockages.

Since you may have one or more  ‘cancerous’ locations, you must ask your surgeon in advance exactly how much (in percentage terms) of your intestine he thinks he will be removing. And whether he will be taking lymph nodes as well from surrounding areas.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be given in advance of surgery in some cases of colon or rectal cancers, where the surgeon would like the tumour shrunk prior to removal.

It is most usually given when the cancer has passed across the muscle tissue and there is risk of spread, or when spread has occurred already. Drugs commonly used are Fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, mitomycin, and innotecan. Monoclonal antibodies are in development as a treatment too. Your doctor should be able to give you detailed information sheets on these drugs, and their side effects. You can also access our ‘kiddies guide’ to drugs by going to the Treatments section of this web site and looking under chemotherapy. You will also find a highly useful article on ‘Doctorspeak’ there (where we translate all those long words into English!!) and another article on a Diet for Chemotherapy. 

The chemotherapy drug type used will depend on how far the cancer has spread. Doctors may use drugs more specific for, say, a lung tumour or liver tumours where there has been spread. For information on your Cancer Drugs and chemotherapy click here.

Liver Secondaries: You should look at our article on secondary Liver cancer. If you have concerns please ensure that you are taking adequate vitamin K  supplementation. Vitamin K has been shown to reduce and even stop liver cancer growth. (Washington Uni, and Tokyo). But vitamin K is ‘released’ from your ‘greens’ by the action of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. If you have taken drugs and your intestine is impaired it is very likely that you will not be making and absorbing adequate levels of vitamin K.

Radiotherapy: Rarely used for colon cancer because of the dangers to other nearby organs. Sometimes it is used with rectal cancers. You can find a useful article on how to get the most out of Radiotherapy in the Treatments section of this web site. US experts are adamant: You should keep taking your vitamins – especially antioxidants and fish oils and vitamin D – they improve success rates of radiotherapy.

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Metastatic Colorectal cancer

If your cancer has already moved on to your liver you may need to clear your liver of the blockages it will undoubtedly now have.

The liver is the largest detox organ in the body – but in cancer it fills with dead cellsThe liver is the largest detox organ in the body – but in cancer it fills with dead cells, fats (this combination often produces gall stones), lactic acid and is anyway overworked trying to clear away the poisons from the cancer and the drugs. If the liver becomes blocked you will create a ‘log-jam’ debilitating the whole immune system all over the body.

If your cancer has spread beyond the colon you will need to look at the cancer as a whole body problem and think in terms of a whole body solution. There are many things you can do – the issue is choosing the best from the available research information for your individual case. We can tell you all this and more in a Personal Prescription.

Treatment for anaemia: Managing and counteracting anaemia can reduce death from anaemia by 50 per cent. Research published by the Cochrane Collaboration showed that epoetins (alfa and beta epoetin) show significant survival benefits. Particularly striking were the results for patients with solid tumours (Breast, lung, colon) where risk of death decreased by 51 per cent).   In a second study (European Soc. For Medical Oncology- 31st Oct 2005) epotin beta was shown to reduce risk of tumour progression in patients with anaemia 

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Other Useful Information

UCLA Berkeley has a wellness letter (http://www.wellnessletter.com/) available to subscribers for free. Their sister journal from Johns Hopkins cancer center features colon cancer and will send you regular alerts.

people who had taken multivitamins at least 4 times per week had 30 per cent less risk of colon cancerThe American Cancer Society reported in 2003 on a study that ran from 1992 to 1997, looking at over 148,000 and their use of multi-vitamins. Those who had taken multivitamins during the 1980’s at least 4 times per week had 30 per cent less risk of colon cancer. This was thought due to addition of vitamin D  and folic acid in multivitamins.

Several studies from Germany and the USA have noted that Tumeric or Curcumin (See ‘Nutritionals’  section of this web site) is highly potent in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.

Science (2005, 308) reports on the role played by parasites in colon cancer. Apparently increased colon cell activity is reported in order to displace the parasites, and this causes increased production of certain cytokines, interleukin, and interferon, all of which were associated with higher levels of the cancer. 

A study involving 148,610 men and women in the USA between 50 and 74 years of age (Journal of the American Medical Assn) confirmed that the group who consumed most red meat had 30-40 per cent more distal colon or rectal cancer risk, when compared to the lowest consumers.

A study from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden amongst 61,000 women showed that those with the highest magnesium levels had the lowest risk of colorectal cancer those with the highest magnesium levels had the lowest risk of colorectal cancer  (40 per cent of adults are known to be magnesium deficient).

French scientists at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research in Strasbourg have shown that procyanadins and polyphenols in apples help to prevent colon cancers. Other research studies have shown benefits for similar polyphenols in green tea and olive oil.

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Other influences

In the Boston Nurses Study, which finished in the mid 1990’s after more than a decade of study, HRT was implicated in increased breast cancer risk. After further analysis longer-term use was implicated in other ‘oestrogen-driven’ cancers like ovarian.

Birmingham University (2001) showed that colon cancers were driven by localised oestrogen and this seems to be borne out by research from Wang at British Columbia, who in November 2004 looking at stomach/intestinal cancers, came out with a ‘revolutionary new theory’ on cancer formation – that it was ‘due to the effect of  oestrogen  on stem cells from the bone marrow’. Traditional theories almost always involve genetic mutation of cells. Here Wang was saying that your healing cells rushed round to repair inflammatory damage in your stomach/intestine but under the influence of oestrogen, they did not convert to normal healthy cells but stayed as rapidly dividing cells – cancer cells – because of the presence of oestrogen.

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The Diet factor

There is probably no cancer more logically attributable to diet. Research carried in icon Cancer Watch recently from Japan indicated that a doubling of salt consumption doubled risk; other research we have carried indicates red meat consumption and animal fat consumption goes hand in hand with risk, as does alcohol intake.

The prime group of sufferers is concentrated in the 60+ age group; but then 85 per cent of all cancers are. However a growing number of pregnant women seem to be succumbing and research amongst sufferers has indicated a higher prior incidence of irregular bowel movements and that prior (often chronic) bowel inflammation, Crohn’s disease, severe ulcerative colitis and IBS may also be precursors, as we covered above.

Some ‘foods’ are known to reduce risk.  A diet high in natural fibre is shown as a benefit in research – mammalian lignans are made from plant lignans in the intestine with the help of beneficial bacteria, and these lignans reduce localised oestrogen levels - as is a good level of garlic  intake (Boston Nurses Study). And here the ‘clues’ become interesting via two routes.

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Irritation and Inflammation – a precursor

Firstly, in 1982 John Vane won his Nobel Prize for the finding that aspirin could reduce the level of ‘harmful’ eicosanoids or localised inflammatory hormones produced at the cellular level and lasting barely one and a half seconds.

One effect of these ‘bad’ eicosanoids is to cause inflammation and irritation particularly the formation and growth of polyps; this can occur via this eicosanoid, or localised oestrogen pathway, and/or via a carcinogenic bile acid that you actually make yourself.

A great number of studies have shown that garlic, ginger and long-chain omega 3 (fish oils) also have this anti-inflammatory effect – not merely salicylin. (Aloe Vera  would also be a good source of natural anti-inflammatories and is known to be very calming). All seem to reduce ‘bad’ eicosanoids and reduce the effect of a negative enzyme, named Cox-2.

And, as we keep saying, inflammation is a precursor to CRC.

Long chain omega-3 and  vitamin D  have also both been shown to directly reduce the production of this carcinogenic bile acid (produced most frequently by the excesses of animal fats and alcohol). Research shows that low magnesium levels are also a ‘risk’ factor. The vitamin D and low magnesium issues may explain why there is some research indicating that dairy, milk and calcium products can reduce risk. Vitamin D, magnesium and calcium have a strong biochemical inter-relationship in the body. It is more likely that the calcium is having an effect through altering levels of vitamin D. (NB Vitamin D is produced by sunshine acting on your skin. A little can be obtained from oily fish and far behind that comes dairy. If you cannot get regular amounts of ‘safe sun’ then you must supplement)

Click here and read our article "What is Cancer"Secondly, as we have reported above, one theory of CRC is the negative presence of microbes in the gut, coupled with a lack of ‘good bacteria’. In icon Cancer Watch March 2006 we have covered recent US research (Science 2005, 308) about microbes and other parasites as the cause of CRC. Microbes, yeasts, viruses are all parasites that can produce toxins causing inflammation, whilst draining you of key nourishment.

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Building a ‘Total’ Integrated Therapy programme

So what can you do about all this?

As we said out the outset, one estimate puts the lifetime risk for Europeans of developing this disease at 2% (Cappocaccia et al 2002). But other figures suggest in the EU, 6% of men and women may be affected by age 75.

The harsh facts are that mortality from this cancer is risingThe harsh facts are that mortality from this cancer is rising (Boyle & Langman 2000) and that the current chances of long-term survival using existing orthodox therapies are poor.

But readers should know that US research, covered in the American magazine Integrated Cancer Therapoies indicates that people taking complementary therapies like exercise can improve survival rates in general by 50 per cent. Other experts in the UK have suggested even more.  We can help you put the very best complementary therapies together with your orthodox treatment programme. Call 01280 821211 for a Personal Prescription, or click here.

Below you will see why we believe that orthodox treatments may even be making matters worse!
 
The Crucial and often ignored role of Beneficial Bacteria

On this web site we have three articles that are ‘must read’ articles if you have colorectal cancer:
1 Can candida cause cancer?
2 Beneficial Bacteria
3 Beneficial bacteria and colo-rectal cancer

A lack of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine:

• Weakens the immune system of cytokines, immunoglobulins and NK (Natural Killer) cells.
• Weakens the whole digestive system, which is a symbiotic relationship between your own enzymatic and digestive processes and those of the bacteria
• Restricts the ability of beneficial bacteria in doing their job. For example, some normally break down indigestible fibres and long carbohydrate molecules in the colon to produce useful by-products: like short chain esters (which lower ‘bad cholesterol’ in the blood stream); or B vitamins like the essential B-12 and folic acid. And they ‘produce’ vitamin K from your ‘greens’, which you cannot do on your own.
• Reduces the ability of your body to remove toxic chemicals – like oestrogenic products and nitrosamines (both linked to colorectal cancer)
• Reduces the ability of your system to eliminate heavy metals – Beneficial Bacteria can chelate and eliminate toxic heavy metals

At nighttime when you sleep they also attack and digest  ‘foreign’ and potentially dangerous microbes and yeast products, quite possibly the ones identified in the US research. If you don’t have enough ‘good’ bacteria in your colon you are more likely to have yeast infections in your colon, passing (if there are ‘holes’ in your gut) into the blood stream and colonising other areas of the body.

Finally, in discussing this theory with two top colon cancer experts they both confirmed that when they operated on colon cancer there were almost always colonies of yeasts present.

Beneficial Bacteria have been shown in Clinical Trials to repair a damaged intestinal lining and reduce inflammation.

In total then they strengthen the immune system and provide essential DNA and cell replication enhancing vitamins and reduce the levels of toxins in the colon and blood stream and control yeast and microbial infections.

What kills the good guys?  

Well, everything from chlorine in your tap water, to antibiotics in your chicken breast to high levels of salt and alcohol altering the pH (the acidity) of the intestine.

And the chemotherapy drugs, and the anaesthetics, and the antibiotics and steroids you may be given in your official treatment programme. Even mercury in vaccines.

And herein lies the rub - Catch 22

If you undertake standard orthodox medical therapies, the surgery and the drugs will further destroy your beneficial bacteria levels. 

Some beneficial bacteria strains can be restored by the supplementation of  Probiotics. (A Probiotic may only be called by that title if it can pass to the area of the intestine where it can do its job without being killed en route, and it has benefits that have been proven in clinical trials.)

You may have also heard of Prebiotics. These are natural food compounds that feed and thus stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in their natural environment. They can also be found as supplements.

Prebiotics are available naturally in certain foods: for example fibres, lignans, the Allium group of plants (onions, garlic, shallots, leeks), asparagus, chicory, and Jerusalem artichokes, and to a lesser extent in beans and pulses and some cereals such as oats. Inulin, a pure form of the sugar fructose that is at the core of many prebiotic carbohydrates, is often used as a prebiotic supplement with certain manufactured food products. It stimulates Bifidobacteria. Again readers will see the importance of diet.

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Using this web site to increase you chances of beating cancer.

On this site you will find so much more.
 
You can plan your own, all-embracing, treatment programme, with  Cancer - Your first 15 Steps; or you can look for what might have caused your cancer, and what might be maintaining it – and so try to cut it out of your life. Start with the  4 Pillars of Cancer.
 
You can then access a world of Complementary Therapies – start with a  ‘kiddies guide’  to them all.
 
Then there are diet changes you can make, or even particular diet therapies like the famous Gerson Therapy. You can look up the benefits of key vitamins, antioxidants and natural supplements like  vitamin D,  Curcumin,  selenium and chlorella, or you can understand if you might have yeasts or a parasite and how Wormwood might help. All with scientific evidence and research behind them.
 
You can even find out about Alternative options (and all the research) like Photo Dynamic Therapy, Dr Gonzales Nutrition Clinic in New York, the Oasis of Hope and even John of God.
 
Or go to our Home page to find a list of the ten hottest topics we have covered recently – we promise one or two will definitely be relevant to you.

On this web site you will find more information about more treatment options (Complementary and Alternative, not just Orthodox), and on more ´possible contributory factors´ to the development and maintenance of your cancer, than on any other UK cancer web site. Some experts believe that approaching your cancer in this ´total´ way can increase an individual´s chances of survival by as much as 60 per cent.
 
This is all supported by the very latest research evidence from all over the world in our news section Cancer Watch.
 
We can do this because we are not hide-bound by vested interests, and so we can always put people first. We are not influenced by companies who seek to make financial gains from patients, we have no trustees working for, or sponsored directly or indirectly by such companies, our directors take no remuneration at all. This is our true independence, from which you benefit directly.
 
But this independence comes at a price: We can only rely on you, and people like you, to support our work. 47,703 people visited our site in March 2007, viewing 11 pages on average. Every month we add 20 new pages to this site. The letters and e-mails of gratitude and praise tell us we really do make a difference.

If you feel an independent voice is essential in cancer, please, please help by making a donation.  Every little helps.

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In Summary:

What can we say?

Anyone who has studied the work of Sir John Vane, and all the subsequent studies on Cox-2 will know that you should be eating a diet high in fibre, (eg Flaxseed), garlic, ginger and taking a small dose of daily aspirin or sipping Aloe Vera.

Anyone who has studied the role of localised oestrogen as a possible contributory factor would be telling you to cut the synthetic and excess oestrogens out of your life (Our book ‘Oestrogen – the killer in our midst’  will tell you how to do this)

Anyone who has studied the role of carcinogenic bile acids in the inflammation of polyps would be telling you to take adequate levels of vitamin D and magnesium.

Anyone who has studied all the very recent and extensive research on beneficial bacteria would be insisting you topped up daily with as many protective strains, and tried to do them as little harm, as possible.

Whether factors like these can help cure, rather than prevent, is open to opinion. Sadly, upon diagnosis, orthodox medicine currently goes in a direction completely opposite to this expert research.

And surely, once you have been operated on, and given the all clear, isn’t the issue preventing recurrence? Shouldn’t your team be acutely aware of all this research and encouraging you to at least try some of it? Perhaps they are – it must be worth a discussion.

You can keep up with all the Latest News (covers items from icon Cancer Watch on this subject) by clicking that button. Or you can go straight to our Cancer Watch  files 

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Other Issues

For people with a family history it is very important to go for an annual check – even a regular endoscopy. The UK Government has been promising to bring these in on the NHS as a serious prevention weapon for several years now.

If you already have cancer you will want to ensure that inflammation and polyps are kept in check. We hope you found the diet information above useful.

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