Cancer of the colon or rectum also called colorectal cancer, is located at the digestive tract’s lower end. It is a malignant tumor that begins in the large intestine.
Causes:
Old age
Hereditary: colorectal cancer can be passed on through genes
Poor diet and lifestyle is a factor that contributes to colon cancer
Mainly high fat, more red meat and low fiber diet can cause such problems
Obesity
Chronic smoking and alcohol consumption
Symptoms
- Change in the consistency of your stool might be a symptom of colon cancer. Look out for persistent change in your bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- If you’re experiencing cramps, gas, or any abdominal discomfort, it might be a symptom of colon cancer
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- If you get a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely after your visits to the loo, you may have colorectal cancer.
The most important point to note is, one should never self-diagnose. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of a disease or ailment, no matter how big or small, always consult a family doctor, general practitioner, or an oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer).
Detection:
- Colonoscopy: a thin fiber-optic instrument is inserted into the colon for examination
- Biopsy: tissues removed from the living body for testing
- Molecular testing of the tumour
- Blood tests
- Diagnostic imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI scan, and X-ray
- Ultrasound
Treatment:
Treatment of colorectal cancer is based on the size, location, and how far cancer has spread
Some common treatments include:
- surgery to remove cancer
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
Prevention:
- Get screened or get diagnostic imaging tests. Screenings are tests that look for cancer before signs and symptoms develop
- Follow a healthy diet; eat your greens, fruits, and whole grains
- Exercise regularly
- Obesity is said to be a cause of colon cancer. Control your BMI by following a healthy lifestyle
- Quit smoking as it leads to many more injurious diseases as well
Where to go for help?
- Indian Cancer Society
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre
- Cancer Healer Center
- Charutar Arogya Mandal
- St. Jude India's Child Care Centre
*Information sourced from various websites such as maxhealthcare.in, americanoncologyinstitute.com, mayoclinic.org/ and cancer.org