All cancers occur when cells multiply uncontrollably and anal and colon cancers are no different. However, they are not the same. They originate from different sections of the gut and have different symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and survival rates.  So in this post, let’s explore the key differences and similarities between anal and colorectal cancers. Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ What is colon cancer? Colorectal cancer arises from cells that line the lumen of the la ..read more

Colorectal cancers (CRC) are the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2023 alone, around 153,000 people were expected to be diagnosed with this cancer.  However, if you consider the anatomy of the colon, CRC is two types of cancer: colon and rectal. But why are they always talked about together? Better yet, what are the differences between them? Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ Let’s find out.  Why is it called colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer ..read more

While colorectal cancer has a characteristic set of symptoms, it can also be an unusual cause of back pain in some cases. Back pain on its own might be a small concern for most patients, but back pain in colon cancer patients should not be ignored. So in this post, let us dive deep into why colon cancer can cause back pain, what it feels like, other common causes of back pain, and how to treat back pain due to colon cancer. Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ Can colon cancer lead to back pain? Ye ..read more

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US, with 4.1% to 4.4% of the population being diagnosed with it at some point during their lifetimes. It is also one of the most common causes of female mortality.  In fact, the incidence and mortality of colon and rectal cancer are higher in women than in men over 65, indicating it is a major threat to older women. But why is that so? What is the reason behind this higher cancer prevalence? Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ Let’s fi ..read more

Hemorrhoids are painful and itchy, and they don’t affect only you. In fact, these pesky problems surprise every 1 in 20 Americans1, with 10 million people self-reporting hemorrhoids every year2. Unfortunately, the problem is that there aren’t many “quick” fixes for cutting through your pain. But many does not mean none. One popular fix is the “donut pillow”, which have been marketed to treat everything from itching to external hemorrhoidal pain.  Does that mean they work? Yes! Nevertheless, we do caution against using a pillow for hemorrhoids for some people (see our post doughnuts help o ..read more

Cancer that develops in the large intestine is called colorectal cancer. There are a few stages that occur before colorectal cancer develops — such as genetic mutations and the development of polyps (outgrowths). The rate of colon cancer development depends on how soon these mutations and polyps appear.  In this article, we will discuss how colon cancer grows, its growth rate, the stages of colon cancer growth, and how patients with different stages fare.  Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url ..read more

The World Health Organization reports colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. So far this year, about 106,970 cases of colon cancer have been reported in the US. The expected deaths as a result are about 52,550 — out of which 3,750 will be young adults. The good news is that there are cancer screening methods to catch colon cancer early. We also have a good understanding of the risk factors that can increase your chances of developing colon cancer. But the bad news is that it often presents with vague, ill-defined symptoms that are easy ..read more

The United States will see more than 150,000 new colon cancer cases in 2023. This makes it one of the most common cancers out there. And so, the importance of getting tested for colon cancer is simply a no-brainer.  Fortunately, for those who want to get tested, some options allow them to get tested without having to go to a hospital or undergo a colonoscopy.  Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ Of course, these home tests are not the gold standard for diagnosing colon cancer. You can le ..read more

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that causes dramatic changes in bowel movements, leaving people grappling with bouts of diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. In fact, around 70% of IBS patients find that specific foods cause severe cramps, abdominal pain, and other IBS complications that interfere with their daily activities and well-being. This makes it crucial to make dietary modifications to address this disorder.  Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidde ..read more

Hemorrhoids can be annoying and reduce your quality of life, but they can also be dangerous, especially if you’re an older adult. For instance, they can masquerade as colorectal cancer (at the anal region) or anal melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer that can be treated only in the early stages.  So, if you’re feeling excruciating pain and rectal bleeding, reach out to your doctor at once because your hemorrhoid might not be what you think.  Enjoy what you're reading? Enter your email address to receive posts like this delivered to your inbox. email* Hidden url Δ However ..read more