When a cancerous growth originates in the colon and then spreads to the anus, it leads to colon and rectal cancer. It is the second most common form of cancer in the Western world. The risk of colorectal cancer is higher after fifty. Experts believe that smoking, a high-fat diet, Crohn's disease, and colitis are some of the risk factors for this disease.
Colon and rectal cancer symptoms include bowel disturbances (diarrhea or constipation), abdominal heaviness, bloody stools, bloating, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue. A diagnostic test such as a colonoscopy helps diagnose the severity of such a condition. For the treatment of colorectal cancer, surgery (if detected at an early stage), chemotherapy, radiation therapy and sometimes combined therapy are usually recommended.
Causes
The large intestine is a 5-foot-long coiled tube that helps absorb water and various nutrients from the food you eat, while the end (about 6 inches) of the digestive tract, which serves as a passageway for the excretion of stool, is called the anus. Read about 8 causes of cancer in your daily life that you should know about.
Colon and rectal cancer (also known as colon cancer) is the 6th leading cause of cancer death in India. It develops as a result of an overgrowth of cells lining the colon and rectum. These tumors can grow larger over time and then completely invade the colon. Did you know that faulty genes can cause bowel cancer?
In most cases of colorectal cancer, the actual cause is not found. But some risk factors can increase the chances of colon cancer, like –
Smoking
Obesity
Inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn's disease
Family history of cancer
You might also like to read 10 reasons to stop eating junk food right now.
Symptoms
Sometimes colon and rectal cancer can develop without any symptoms. With the progressive invasion of tumors, the following symptoms can be observed:
Chronic stomach cramps and pain
Change in stool, leading to diarrhea and constipation
The presence of blood in the stool or a change in the color of the stool
Feeling of incomplete bowel movement
Feeling full and bloated
Fatigue and nausea
Weight loss
Diagnosis
Common diagnostic tests that are used to detect colorectal cancer are –
Colonoscopy: Commonly used to detect colon cancer or precancerous polyps/tumors. A thin tube is inserted through the rectal opening.
CT scan or MRI scan: A CT scan or MRI scan is done to determine the stage of the cancer. It is also used to check if the cancer has spread to other organs. Here are the top 10 facts you should know about CT scans.
Sigmoidoscopy: This is another scope exam that is used to detect cancer in the lowest part of the colon. It is similar to a colonoscopy, but uses a smaller tube than that used in a colonoscopy.
Colorectal cancer can be treated -
Chemotherapy: Usually started after surgery to remove a colon tumor to prevent recurrence of the tumors. The combination of anticancer drugs can be given orally or directly into the bloodstream. Read more about chemotherapy and its side effects.
Surgery: Cancerous tumors in the colon can be safely removed with surgery. The type of surgery to be performed depends on the size and location of the tumor. A partial colectomy is a surgical procedure in which the part of the colon or rectum containing the tumor is removed along with the surrounding healthy tissue, which is later reattached. Sometimes a colostomy is performed, in which the healthy end of the large intestine is removed. You may also like to read about the latest research and advances in cancer treatment.
Radiotherapy: High-energy beams are used to kill cancer cells and stop their growth. It is sometimes used before surgery to reduce the size of a tumor.
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