Colorectal Cancer Overview and Indications

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer found in the colon or rectum. It is also referred to as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer. The colon and rectum are in the lower portion of the digestive system. The colon is the large intestine and the rectum is the channel connecting the colon to the anus. The American Cancer Society predicts that 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer in the United States of America and is the second most common cause of deaths due to cancer.

Colorectal cancer usually starts as small, noncancerous clusters of cells referred to as polyps that develop on the inside of the colon. Some of these polyps remain as such, while others go on to become colon cancers. Periodic screening is often advised to pick up these polyps early enough before they transform into cancerous growths.

Today, we examine the symptoms colon cancer present with and possible risk factors for the disease.

Symptoms

Colorectal cancer sometimes could be asymptomatic meaning not showing any symptoms especially during the early stages. When, it does, the symptoms patients present with include:

  • A feeling of being full even after long hours without a meal
  • A feeling that the bowel is not empty after using the toilet
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dark brown or black stool due to blood in faeces
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain or cramps.
  • Feeling of tiredness and fatigue
  • Loss of weight which cannot be explained or accounted for.

Causes

Medical doctors and health researchers are yet to determine what exactly causes Colon cancer. Cancers generally may be caused by changes in genetic composition called mutations which could be inherited or acquired. These mutations alongside environmental influences interplay in the development of colorectal cancer.

Colon cancer begins when mutations cause abnormal cells to develop and aggregate in the colon lining, resulting in the formation of polyps. With time, polyps become cancerous invading nearby healthy tissues and destroying them. These cancerous cells are sometimes seen to metastasize to other body parts in the individual. If polyps are detected early enough, surgery can be performed to remove them and prevent their progression into cancer.

Risk Factors

These are indicators that heighten an individual’s chances of developing Colon cancer. Some are avoidable with lifestyle modifications, while some are not.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors include:

  • African, African-American race show greater predisposition when compared to other races.
  • Male gender
  • Older age group, 50 and above.
  • Family history of colon cancer
  • Personal history of polyps and bowel diseases
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Syndromes

Modifiable Risk Factors: These are the factors that depend on lifestyle habits and choices, and can be positively influenced and worked on to improve an individual’s chances of living a healthy cancer-free life. They include:

  • High saturated fat and animal protein content diets.
  • Low consumption of fiber containing diets.
  • Overweight or obese individuals
  • Smoking
  • High alcohol consumption
  • Having Type 2 Diabetes
  • Past exposure to radiation especially in the abdomen
  • Low level of physical activity or sedentary life style

Colorectal cancer is a very well treatable disease especially during the early stages. 67% of patients are known to survive colorectal cancer 5 years after diagnosis. This survival rate could even be better with prompt diagnosis. It is therefore imperative that the general public is more aware of the symptoms and predisposing factors of this disease. Medical attention should also be sought for early when significant suspicions are noticed.

 

 

 

 

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