Are you aware of colorectal cancer?

When we hear the word cancer, we all get a little scared, right? That's normal. But there are some types of cancer that, if we are aware of them in advance and get the necessary tests done, the chances of being completely cured are much higher. Today we are talking about one such type of cancer. That is cancer that occurs in our colon and rectum. Since this develops slowly and does not show major symptoms in the early stages, it is very important to be aware of this.

What is colorectal cancer?

Simply put, this is when the cells lining the inside of our colon or rectum start to grow out of control. After the food we eat goes into the stomach and the nutrients are absorbed from the small intestine, the rest of the food goes into the large intestine. That's where water and the remaining nutrients are absorbed and poop (stool) is formed. This poop is temporarily stored in the rectum before it leaves the body. So, these two parts are where this cancer occurs.

Most of the time, these cancers start as "silent" tumors. That means you may not notice any symptoms until they are large. But the best part is that proper screening can detect these cancers or precancerous conditions early. If detected, they can be treated and even completely cured.

How does this cancer develop? What are polyps?

Almost all colon cancers start as "polyps." These are small, fleshy growths that grow on the inside of the colon wall. But remember, not all polyps are cancer.

There are two main types of polyps:

• Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps: These usually don't turn into cancer. But sometimes if they get large, especially on the right side of the colon, a doctor may recommend removing them.
• Adenomas or adenomatous polyps: These are precursors to cancer . If left untreated, they have a high chance of developing into cancer over time.

That's why doctors perform regular examinations to check for polyps like these and remove them if they are present.

What factors increase the risk of developing this cancer?

Although anyone can develop this cancer, some people are at a slightly higher risk. The risk increases especially after the age of 45-50. Check the table below to see if you have any of these risk factors.

What are the symptoms of this cancer?

As mentioned earlier, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, one or more of the following symptoms may appear.

How does a doctor diagnose this disease?

When you go to see a doctor, he or she will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then, they may order one or more of these tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Stool Test: A test to check for invisible blood in the stool.
• Colonoscopy: This is the best and most accurate test. A thin, flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the anus to examine the entire colon. If there are polyps, a small piece can be taken at the same time for a biopsy, and some polyps can be removed completely.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy, but only the last part of the large intestine is examined.
• CT Scan: This test helps to see if the cancer has spread outside the colon.

What are the treatments?

Treatment options depend on the location of the cancer, the extent to which it has spread (stage), and the patient's overall health. Your doctor will talk to you about the best treatment plan for you.

Surgery

This is the main treatment. The part of the colon where the cancer is located and the surrounding lymph nodes are removed surgically. Early-stage cancers can only be completely cured with surgery.

Chemotherapy

These are drugs that are given to kill cancer cells. They are given to shrink the tumor before surgery, or to kill any cancer cells that may remain after surgery. They are also a mainstay of treatment when the cancer has spread.

Radiation Therapy

This involves using high-energy rays (like X-rays) to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is often given along with chemotherapy for rectal cancer.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

These are relatively new treatments that either specifically target cancer cells while causing less damage to normal cells, or they stimulate our own immune system to fight cancer.

What to do to prevent cancer and after treatment?

Even after treatment is complete, it is very important to see your doctor for follow-up tests on a regular schedule. This will help you quickly determine if the cancer has recurred.

Also, there are several things we can do to protect ourselves from this cancer:

• Healthy diet: Eat more fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and greens. Limit red meat and processed meats.
• Exercise: Engage in a sweat-inducing exercise for at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a major risk factor for cancer.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol: Both increase the risk of cancer.
• Get screened at the right age: It's usually best to talk to your doctor about getting a screening test, such as a colonoscopy, after age 45. If you have a family history of risk, you may need to start screening even earlier.