Second Leading cause of Cancer Deaths affecting both men and women
Colorectal cancer occurs most often in people over the age of 50 years. With the baby boomer generation growing older, Colorectal cancer may be more commonly diagnosed in them.
An average person's risk of developing colorectal cancer in their lifetime is over 4% for both men and women.
The month of March is known for its awareness of Colorectal Cancer. It is indicated by a dark blue cancer ribbon.
Medication Information for treating Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer or colon and rectal cancer originate in the colon or rectum. These two cancers have various common features and causes. Most cases of colorectal cancer do not show any symptoms until it has already grown large. It can be prevented and even cured if detected early on.
This cancer begins as a polyp which is a non-cancerous growth but sometimes leads to colorectal cancer. Almost all types of colorectal cancer have grown from polyps. Sometimes, patients may inherit a disease like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis that increase the chances of developing polyps and finally cancer cells.
Types:
There are various types of colorectal cancer, of which the most common is adenocarcinoma.
There are also types of cancers that are hereditary (being existent in several generations of a family). These Colorectal cancer types include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
Overview of some types of colorectal cancer:
• Adenocarcinoma: These are the tumors that begin in the lining of internal organs. Early tumors forms as a small adenomatous polyp that grows and turn into malignant tumors.
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: These tumors form in the digestive tract but rarely forms in the colon as non-cancerous but may turn into a cancer.
• Lymphoma: This tumor usually begins in the lymph nodes but can also start in the colon or rectum.
• Carcinoids: These tumors form in a special hormone producing cell inside the intestine and often shows no symptoms.
• Turcot Syndrome: This is a rare disorder that includes colorectal polyposis and colon cancer and brain tumors.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis: This is a rare condition that involves the cancer to be inherited. Some people diagnosed with colorectal cancers also have family members with the same cancer. The cancer in such families may follow a dominant inheritance pattern.
Risk Factors:
There are no factors that are certain to cause colorectal cancers. However, there are some risk factors that can increase the chances of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis: A cancer type known as familial adenomatous polyposis can be linked to a family's genes. Around 15% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancers also have family members with the same cancer. The cancer in such families may follow a dominant inheritance pattern.
• Age: Colorectal cancer occurs most often in people over the age of 50 years. The average age of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer is 72 years. All age groups can have colorectal cancer, but around 90% of patients are over the age of 50 years.
• Immediate Family: 1 out of 5 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer also have a relative with this same disease. This is because of similar genes, lifestyle, etc. Their immediate family members do also run the risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• Smoking & Drinking: Carcinogens a cancer-causing agent found in cigarette smoke can pass through the digestive tracts and intestines. According to some researchers, over-consumption of alcohol and alter the DNA and increase the risks of colorectal cancer.
• Type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes have a higher chance of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, as they share similar risks factors such as obesity and long stretches of physical inactivity.
There may be other causes that are not mentioned here.
Symptoms:
In its earlier stages, colorectal cancer may show a few or even no symptoms. It is important to stay vigilante of the most likely symptoms such as:
• Bleeding or cramps in the rectum
• Blood in stools
• Pelvic pain (may also happen in later stages)
• Loss of appetite and losing weight
• Discomfort in belly
• Changes in bowel movements
• Constipation and/or diarrhoea
There may be other symptoms that are not mentioned here.
Different factors can cause the above symptoms which are not necessarily colorectal cancer. Consult with your doctor as soon as possible to know for certain about the cause of such symptoms.
Treatment:
The treatment of colorectal cancer generally depends on location, spread and size of the cancer.
Some common treatments include surgery like colectomy (surgical removal of a part or all of the colon) and lymph node dissection.
Consult with your doctors about the medications that may have to be taken during your treatment.