Diabetes and Bowel Cancer: A Link

The third most common type of cancer is bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer or colorectal cancer.

Dietary factors and obesity have been linked to bowel cancer, and people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing it.

Because the risks of colon cancer increase with age, it is most commonly diagnosed in older people.

What exactly is bowel cancer?

The colon is the large intestine, the last part of the digestive system before reaching the rectum.

Colon cancer develops when cells in the colon's glands begin to grow uncontrollably, resulting in the formation of tumours.

If left untreated, cancer will spread to neighboring organs and grow into the muscle wall of the colon.

The dangers of developing bowel cancer

People who have a related bowel condition, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are more likely to develop bowel cancer.

• Have a close relative who has bowel cancer?
• Smoking
• Eat Processed meat regularly
• Drinking alcohol regularly
• Being overweight

Bowel cancer risk rises with age as well.

Type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer

People with type 2 diabetes have also been shown to be at a higher risk of developing bowel cancer, though the reasons for this are not well understood.

A large-scale study published in 2011 found that people with type 2 diabetes had a 38% higher risk of colon cancer than those who did not have diabetes.

It discovered that men with type 2 diabetes had a higher incidence of colon cancer than women with the condition. The study's hypothesized that the gender difference could be due to women having better glucose control than men.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Because the early stages of bowel cancer do not cause symptoms, people are strongly encouraged to participate in colon cancer screenings.

The earlier bowel cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the less likely it is to spread to other parts of the body.

There are three major bowel cancer symptoms:

• Blood in your stools - this can happen for no apparent reason, with blood appearing dark or bright red.
• A consistent change in bowel habits - you may need to go to the toilet more frequently, or your stools may become runnier.
• Lower abdominal pain, bloating, or discomfort that persists after eating.

Weight loss and fatigue are two other possible symptoms.

Bleeding in the bowel can result in anaemia, which can lead to fatigue.

While these symptoms may indicate something other than bowel cancer, you should see your doctor if you have any of them for three weeks or longer.

Bowel cancer diagnosis

Colon cancer is diagnosed by your doctor feeling your abdomen for signs of the disease. A rectal examination will be performed by your doctor, who will put on a rubber glove and feel inside your rectum.

This is standard practice, so don't be alarmed by the method of diagnosis.

To confirm the presence of cancer, additional tests such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which examine the colon in greater detail, may be required.

Bowel (colon) cancer stages

Colon cancer is frequently graded into stages, which aids in determining the extent of treatment required.

Stage 1: If cancer has not spread beyond the colon lining.

Stage 2: If cancer has spread to the muscular layer surrounding the colon.

Stage 3: If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage 4: advanced colon cancer, if cancer has spread to other organs.

Bowel cancer treatment

Treatment for colon cancer will be determined by how far the cancer has progressed.

If the cancer is in its early stages, it is frequently treated with surgery alone to remove the cancer.

If the cancer is in stage 2 or 3, surgery can remove it, and chemotherapy will most likely be administered to prevent it from returning.

If the cancer is in stage 4, it cannot be cured, but it may be possible to control it with one or more of the following treatment options:

Surgery is used to physically remove cancers.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancerous cells.

Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy x-ray radiation to kill cancer cells.

Bowel cancer prevention

Because red meats, particularly processed meats, have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer, the Department of Health recommends that people consume no more than 70g (cooked weight) of red or processed meat per day.

Regular exercise and weight loss may also help to lower your risk of developing colon cancer.