Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the United States, around 1000 patients die each day from complications of cancer. Approximately 2.4 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the dreaded disease in 2007. The exact cause of cancer is unknown. It is only characterized by the abnormal cell division and growth. Genetics, exposure to chemicals and lifestyle are just some of the risk factors in cancer.

Colon cancer is a particular cancer in which the primary affected area is the colon. Many studies showed that people with colon cancer are those who have been smoking, drinking excessively, suffers from inflammatory bowel disease and are obese. Regular colon cancer screenings should be accomplished if you are considered to be at risk. This kinds of screenings can help you fight against any kind of colon cancer that might decide to rear its ugly head. It’s important to take care of the matter before it becomes too much of a problem.

If you are exhibiting the following colon cancer symptoms, you should be evaluated for colorectal cancer at once.

1. Irregular bowel movements: you could have less or more bowel movements if you have colon cancer. You can even experience constipation more often. This is because the tumor in your colon is already obstructing the regular flow of your bowel.

2. Stomach Cramps- due to bowel obstruction, you will feel stomach cramps and sometimes even bloating. As the tumor grows bigger, it could actually be perforating the bowel wall causing pain and discomfort.

3. Bloody Stool- you might observe bleeding in your bowel. Sometimes the blood will be present in a very small amount and not be noticed. But there are also cases, where the stool is really bloody. A fecal occult blood test can confirm presence of blood in your stool.

4. Unexplained weight loss- one of the classic sign of cancer is weight loss. If you are losing weight even if you are not trying, you should ask your doctor.

5. Fatigue- another colon cancer symptom to look out for is unexplained tiredness. Some experts link this symptom to anemia or iron deficiency. To be sure, you should have your blood checked.

6. Nausea and vomiting- because of the tumor in your colon area, you might feel nauseous and even vomit for no apparent reason.

7. Gassy- obstruction of the colon by a tumor causes air to be trapped.

Diagnosing colon cancer can be done in a number of ways. Your doctor could perform a digital rectal exam to check for abnormal areas in your rectum. Another way is to take endoscopic images of your colon. This is done by inserting a lighted device in you rectum and images are transmitted to a monitor. This is a very accurate test and could also differentiate between a polyp and a tumor growth.

If detected early, colon cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The key is early diagnosis. Chances for survival are higher for people who are diagnosed at the early stages of colon cancer. This is the reason why you should be evaluated or screened by a cancer expert especially if you are exhibiting classic colon cancer symptoms.

Colon health is undeniably an important issue that directly affects our entire bodies. A properly functioning colon is necessary to not only absorb essential nutrients, but to rid the body of waste and harmful toxins.

Learning as much as you can about having a healthy colon is the best defense for warding off a host of illnesses and conditions.

5 Important Facts About Colon Health

1. Besides the skin, kidneys, and lungs, the colon is another organ that helps the body get rid of waste materials. If colon health is compromised for some reason, toxins may build up over time.

These toxins may be absorbed into the bloodstream and lymph nodes, negatively affecting the rest of our body. Colon hydrotherapy is one procedure used to cleanse the bowel of these harmful substances.

2. As we age, the colon may lose some of its ability to effectively eliminate waste. It is for this reason that our diets should contain adequate amounts of fiber from sources such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

3. Peristalsis is the term used to describe movement within the colon. These contractions move food through the digestive tract and help the body absorb nutrients.

A healthy colon has approximately 14 contractions within the colon each and every minute.

4. Two to three bowel movements per day are necessary for avoiding the accumulation of harmful toxins. Infrequent bowel movements or constipation directly contribute to poor colon health.

Some people suffering from constipation find laxatives to be helpful, or simply increasing their fiber intake.

5. Bowel toxemia refers to a condition that causes inflammation and swelling within the colon. This may occur when the colon contains impacted fecal matter, bacteria, or other harmful materials.

If the colon becomes inflamed, it won’t be able to function normally, possibly leading to several other ailments throughout the body.

4 Simple Tips for Good Colon Health

1. Eat Healthy

It’s no secret that diet plays an important role in our overall health and well being. Studies show that people who eat fewer red meats and more vegetables have a lower risk of colon cancer.

A diet high in fiber has also been linked to good colon health. Fiber enables the body to move waste matter through the digestive tract faster than normal.

If your diet is lacking in vitamins, minerals, or fiber, supplements that contain folate (folic acid) are thought to protect cells within the colon from developing cancer.

2. Stay Physically Active

Regular exercise is essential for all aspects of good health, and colon health is no different. Experts agree that regular physical activity, at least 30 minutes per day aids in digestion.

The quicker waste material passes through the colon, the less chance for toxins to accumulate.

3. Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes

Besides causing various other health problems, excessive amounts of alcohol affects our colon health as well.

Although the reasons aren’t clear, people who have one or fewer alcoholic drinks per day have a lower risk of colon cancer. Cigarette smoke is harmful to the delicate tissues of the colon.

4. Get Regular Screenings

Unless you have a family history, colorectal screenings should begin at age 50 to check for cancer. Nearly a third of all colon cancer deaths could have been avoided through early detection.

This year, together with ZestAir – Asia’s Most Refreshing Airline, Patio Pacific offers yet another irressitable promo with its Red Hot Boracay Getaway package for as low as Php 6,500 per person (based on quadruple sharing). The promo package includes three days and two nights Deluxe room accommodation with daily breakfast, round trip Caticlan airport transfers, and round trip airfare via ZestAir. By the looks of it though, one might need to book early as this promo is valid only until October 15, 2009 and rooms and airline seats are easily fully booked.

Since 1990, Patio Pacific has been one of the pioneer resorts in Boracay. What started out as a modest 8-room resort, Patio Pacific has now bloomed into a 65-room triple “A” resort accredited by the Department of Tourism. In 2007, it even won the Regional Tourism Excellence Award as the “Best Resort (Class AAA) in Western Visayas”.

Patio Pacific offers great food, beverages and entertainment at its outlets: At the Garden Café, savor sumptuous servings of International cuisine. The Nautica serves snacks and beverages by the poolside. It also features the largest wall climbing facility in the island. At the Vanilla Lounge, one can chill-out in subdued relaxation with cool vibes or sing-along your favorite tunes and enjoy an array of ales and spirits.

One of the facilities in Patio Pacific also includes a Conference Room, offering guests an opportunity to mix business with pleasure. It seats 200, perfect for out-of-town corporate meetings, sales conventions, training programs, and even private parties.

For health buffs and gym enthusiasts, the resort provides its in-house guests free use of the Alpha Fitness Center which is equipped with a Multi-station Trainer, Treadmill, Stairmaster, Elliptical Cross Trainer, Freeweights and Recumbent Bicycle.

Patio Pacific also offers the following to guests: Airline Reservations, Island Tours and Water Sports, Wi-Fi Internet Access, Safety Deposit Box, and Laundry Services.

For inquiries and reservations, you may call their sales reservations office at +63 2 845 2222 to 28 or email them at sales@patiopacificboracay.com. You may also visit their website at www.patiopacificboracay.com for more details.