Colorectal Cancer: Are you aware of this silent enemy?

You may also experience stomach upset, constipation, or diarrhea from time to time. We usually don't pay much attention to these, right? But persistent symptoms like these can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. Today we are going to talk about a topic that many people don't like to talk about, but we all need to be aware of. That is colon and rectal cancer, or the disease we call `(Colorectal Cancer)`. Don't worry, being aware of this is the best way to protect yourself from it.

Simply put, what is this colon cancer?

Colon cancer is when the cells lining the colon or rectum start to grow uncontrollably. This is often a "silent tumor" that grows very slowly, without any symptoms. That's why the cancer may have already progressed to some extent by the time symptoms appear.

Think about our digestive system. The food we eat goes through the stomach and small intestine, and after the nutrients are absorbed, the remaining waste comes to the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water and the remaining nutrients. Then the remaining solid waste, called feces, is temporarily stored in the rectum and then leaves the body. It is in the large intestine, or rectum, that these cancer cells originate.

What are the main types of this cancer?

There are several types of colon cancer, but one type is the most common.

Are all lumps cancerous?

No. In fact, almost all colon cancers start as polyps , small, fleshy growths that form inside the colon. Not all polyps are cancerous.

• Adenomas: These are precancerous polyps that, if left untreated, have a higher chance of becoming cancerous over time.
• Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps: These usually do not become cancerous. However, sometimes if they become large, your doctor may recommend removing them.

Who is at higher risk of developing this cancer?

Actually, anyone can get this disease. But some people are at higher risk. If one or more of the following applies to you, it's a good idea to be a little more vigilant.

What are the symptoms of this disease? Be aware of these!

As mentioned earlier, most of the time there are no symptoms in the early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, these symptoms may appear. If one or more of these persist, be sure to see a doctor.

• Change in bowel habits: persistent constipation or diarrhea.
• Feeling like the stomach has not completely emptied: Feeling like you still have to defecate after going to the toilet.
• Rectal bleeding: Bleeding with or without stool.
• Change in stool appearance: Stools that are thinner than usual, like a pencil.
• Stomach pain or discomfort: Things like stomach cramps, bloating, etc.
• Weight loss for no reason.
• Fatigue and weakness: This may be due to anemia.
• Feeling a lump in the stomach or rectum.

How to diagnose the disease? (Diagnosis)

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then, they may do one or more of these tests to find out for sure if you have cancer or polyps.

• Colonoscopy: This is the standard and best test. A thin, flexible tube with a camera (colonoscope) is inserted through the anus to examine the entire large intestine. If polyps are found, they can be removed at the same time and a small sample (biopsy) can be taken for testing.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy, but only the rectum and the last part of the large intestine are examined.
• Stool Tests:There are tests that look for invisible blood in the stool (FIT, gFOBT) and tests that look for genetic changes (DNA) in cancer cells. If these detect blood or other abnormalities, a colonoscopy will be ordered next.
• CT colonography: This is a special `CT scan` test. It is also called `Virtual colonoscopy`.

What are the treatments?

If you are diagnosed with cancer, the treatment depends on several factors. Your doctor will consider factors such as the stage of the cancer and your overall health to determine the best treatment for you.

1. Surgery

Small tumors and polyps in the early stages can be removed during a colonoscopy. If the cancer has spread a little, that part of the colon is surgically removed (partial colectomy).

2. Chemotherapy

These are drugs that are given to kill cancer cells or stop them from spreading. This treatment is given to kill any cancer cells that may remain after surgery, or to shrink the tumor before surgery.

3. Radiation Therapy

This involves using high-energy rays (like X-rays) to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is commonly used for rectal cancer.

4. Targeted Therapy

This involves administering drugs that target specific genes or proteins in cancer cells without harming normal cells.

5. Immunotherapy

This is a very interesting treatment. What you do here is stimulate your body's own immune system and make it fight cancer cells.

6. Palliative Care

The goal is not to cure the cancer, but to control the pain, discomfort, and other symptoms caused by the cancer, and to provide the patient with the best possible quality of life.

What can we do to prevent cancer?

This is the most important part. Changing our lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of this cancer.

• Good diet: Eat more fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Reduce your intake of red meat and cured meats (like sausages).
• Exercise: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Walking, running, or cycling are good options.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for many cancers.
• Smoking and alcohol: It is best to stop both of these habits completely.
• Screening: This is extremely important. Usually after the age of 45-50, even those who are not at risk continue to haveYou should get tested. It's best to have a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have risk factors, your doctor may recommend getting tested earlier and more frequently.