Colorectal Cancer

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer usually develops in the colon or rectum. According to where they first appear, these malignancies may also be referred to as colon or rectal cancer. Rectal cancer and colon cancer are frequently combined because they share many characteristics.

Risk Factors & Prevention

As people age, their chance of colorectal cancer rises. For men with colon cancer, the average diagnosis age is 68, whereas for women it is 72.

Some risk factors:

• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• History of colorectal cancer in the family
• Rare inherited conditions
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Adenomatous polyps (adenomas)
• Smoking and drinking
• Intake of red meat

How it can be prevented?

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Increased activity
• Optimum diet
• Quit smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid red meat

Screening

Screening exams for colorectal cancer help detect cancer at an early stage. The likelihood of successful treatment is increased by early diagnosis.

• Stool-based tests- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) / Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
• Visual (structural) exams
• Colonoscopy
• CT colonography
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE)
• Stool DNA tests

Symptoms & Signs

• A shift in bowel habits that lasts longer than a few days, such as diarrhea, constipation, or tightness of the stool
• Sense of needing to go to the bathroom yet not being satisfied by doing so
• Bright red blood leaking in the rectum
• Blood in the feces, which could make it appear black or dark brown
• Abdominal (belly) pain or cramping
• Fatigue and weakness
• Unwanted loss of weight

Diagnosis

Colorectal cancer diagnostic tests determine whether you have the disease and how aggressive it may be.

Tools and tests include:

• Colonoscopy
• Biopsy
• Biomarker
• Blood tests
• MRI abdomen and pelvis
• CT Scan chest + abdomen + pelvis
• PET scan

Stages

Treatment Modalities

Coping with Treatment

Along with the medical side effects of colorectal cancer therapy, patients also deal with the financial burden of cancer care and the emotional and social impacts. Talking to a counselor, or family member can help them to cope with treatment. MOC provides facility of psycho Onco-Counseling and Nutritional counseling to help patients.

Do’s & Don’ts During Treatment

Do’s

• Maintain Healthy weight
• Try smaller meals
• Stay hydrated

Don’ts

• Avoid red meat
• Avoid being obese
• Avoid Processed food

Post-Treatment Support

Post-treatment colorectal cancer survivors can go through long-term side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. Survivors require empathy, mental strength, and support from their families, they can also join colorectal cancer Post-Treatment Survivorship Support Groups.

Follow-ups Cancer Care Plan

Post-treatment one must request a follow-up treatment plan. Doctors provide a personalized treatment plan based on the type and stage of cancer.

Surveillance and monitoring for Signs & Symptoms of Recurrence

One aim of follow-up care is checking for a recurrence. One should never miss follow-up visits and never ignore any symptoms of recurrence. Because some cancer cells may remain undiscovered in the body in small locations that don’t respond to treatment, cancer can reoccur. A physician who is knowledgeable about your medical history can provide you with personalized information regarding your risk of recurrence during follow-up care.

FAQ’s

1. What exactly is colon cancer?

   Uncontrolled growth of cells lining the colon leading to cancerous growth in the colon.

2. Describe a polyp.

   When the cells lining the colon grow, divide and multiply in an uncontrolled, manner, polyps, which resemble mushrooms, result.

3. Exactly how typical is colorectal cancer?

   The second most frequent cancer overall and the second largest cause of cancer-related deaths in the US is colorectal cancer.