Everything you need to know about Colorectal Cancer Care
Colorectal Cancers start in the colon or rectum and are termed as either colon or rectal cancer depending on where they start. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men while in women it is second to only breast cancer. Most people with colorectal cancers may not experience any distinguishing symptoms until the cancer has manifested to an advanced stage. Hence it is essential to keep up with your annual health checkups that include screenings for colorectal cancers. If you are an older adult or have a family history of colon or rectal cancer, notify your doctor at the earliest.
Colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which is a part of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) system. Most of the large intestine is made up of the colon which absorbs water and salt from the remaining food matter after it goes through the small intestine. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can become cancerous over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of a polyp turning into cancer depends on its type and your medical history.
Types of Tumours that occur in the Colon and Rectum
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Carcinoid Tumours: These start from special hormone-making cells in the intestine.
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GISTs): They start from special cells in the wall of the colon. Some are benign (non cancerous). These tumours can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, but are not common in the colon.
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Lymphomas: They are cancers of immune system cells. They mostly start in lymph nodes, but they can also start in the colon, rectum, or other organs.
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Sarcomas: They start in blood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum. Sarcomas of the colon or rectum are rare.
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Symptoms associated with colorectal cancer depend on the location of the tumour in the large intestine.
Consult with a healthcare professional if you notice:
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A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool
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Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
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Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
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A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
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Weakness or fatigue
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Unexplained weight loss
Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Doctors may recommend certain screening tests for healthy people in order to look for signs of colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps. Screening has been shown to reduce your risk of fatalities caused by bowel or colon cancer. It is usually recommended by doctors that people with an average risk of colon cancer begin screening around the age of 50. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner.
Treatments available for Colorectal Cancer
There are several treatments available to prevent or/and cure Colorectal Cancer. Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health.
These are namely:
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Surgery
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Radiation therapy
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Therapies using medication
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Chemotherapy
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Targeted therapy
Preventive Measures for Colorectal Cancer
Here are few other ways that can lower your risk for colorectal cancer:
1. Eat a Balanced Diet: Diets that include lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a healthy overall growth of your body and protection against cancer. One should also avoid processed meat as it may be associated with high risk of colorectal cancer.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight increases one’s risks of getting colorectal cancer. Having a healthy diet and constant physical activity helps one in controlling weight.
3. Exercise regularly: Not being physically active increases the risk of one getting colorectal cancer. Being more active reduces the risk.
4. Avoid Drinking & Smoking: People who have been smoking for a long time are more likely than people who don't smoke to develop and die from colon or rectal cancer. Alcohol has also been linked with colorectal cancer. It is a good and smart choice to keep your alcohol and smoking habits in control.
5. Get enough Calcium & Vitamin D: The intake of calcium and vitamin D in your body should be in enough proportions since these are very essential nutrients. These nutrients might help in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.
Many people who have had colorectal cancer live normal lives. The best part is that the treatments available today offer good outcomes, but you may require several treatments or a combination of treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) to have the best chance of avoiding a recurrence of the cancer.
To know more about the diagnosis, treatments and preventive cancer packages available for Colorectal Cancers, consult with the Best Oncologists in Mangalore and take their expert advice to keep yourself safe and healthy.