WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that affects the colon and the rectum. It is also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer. It may be benign, or non-cancerous, or malignant.  

The exact of Colorectal cancer are not known. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COLON CANCER 

Early stages of colorectal cancer does not show any symptoms until its too large or spread. Some of the symptoms are as follows:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Feeling that the bowel does not empty properly 
• Blood in faeces or rectum
• Abdominal pain and bloating, feeling of fullness 
• Fatigue, tiredness or an unexplained weight loss
• a lump in the abdomen or the back passage felt by the doctor
• Unexplained iron deficiency 

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis: Early diagnosis is critical in diagnosing and treating Colorectal cancers. It is recommended that people with an average risk of colorectal cancer to begin screening around age 50. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history should consider screening sooner.

The following are the most common screening and diagnostic procedures for colorectal cancer: 

• Blood stool test
• Stool DNA test
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Barium enaema X-ray
• Colonoscopy
• CT Colonography
• Imaging scans ( such as, Ultrasound or MRI ) 

Treatment: The treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage, location and individual’s other health concerns. This generally involves surgery to remove the cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, proton beam therapy might also be recommended along  with supportive or palliative care.

If the colon cancer is very small, the doctor may recommend a minimally invasive surgery to remove the remaining polyps through a colonoscopy or polypectomy or endoscopic mucosal resection for removal of larger polyps 

In case of more advanced colon cancers, a partial colectomy or lymph node removal may be opted. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

1. Consult a Doctor immediately if blood in stool or rectum is noticed. Or in case of other symptoms that persist for over 3-4 weeks.  
2. Risk factors: Some possible risk factors of colon cancer include:

   ● Presence of polyps 

   ● older age

   ● protein rich and high fat diet 

   ● lack of fibre in diet

   ● high alcohol consumption

   ● history of previous breast, ovaries, or uterine cancer

   ● family history of colorectal cancer

   ● ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel disease (IBD)

   ● overweight and obesity

   ● smoking

   ● lack of physical activity

3. Prevention Tips: A number of lifestyle measures may reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer, such as:

• • Regular screenings: Those who have had colorectal cancer before, or are over 50 years of age, have a family history of this type of cancer, or have Crohn's disease 
  • Nutrition: Follow a diet with plenty of fibre, fruit, vegetables, and good quality carbohydrates and a minimum of red and processed meats
  • Exercise: Moderate and regular exercise has a significant impact on lowering a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer
  • Bodyweight: Being overweight or obese raises the risk of colorectal cancer