Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States, among men and women combined. It is a disease that affects the colon or rectum, which are the last parts of the digestive system. It usually begins as small, non-cancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some of these polyps can turn into colon cancers.
Unlike most types of cancer, colorectal cancer is often preventable with early detection and is highly treatable when caught early. Most cases of colorectal cancer usually occur in the elderly, aged 45 and over, but the disease is increasingly affecting young people as well.
Since colorectal cancer has no symptoms; It was called the “silent killer”. Therefore; The advice to anyone over the age of 45 who is at medium risk is that they should undergo an examination for the disease. According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, screening is the first way to prevent or detect this dangerous disease early. Because it is more treatable. With early detection, patients with colorectal cancer can enjoy a survival rate of 90 percent.
And colorectal cancer is “celebrated” all over the world annually to raise awareness of the importance of early screening and preventive awareness, as well as to raise awareness about risk factors, and to support people recovering from colorectal cancer and their families.
Facts about cancer
> Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world, with about 1.93 million cases, and the second in the United States (according to «World Cancer Research Fund – Statistics of colorectal cancer»).
> the third most common cancer among men, the second most common cancer among women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide; It caused the death of about a million people (according to the “American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons”).
> The risk of colorectal cancer can be reduced by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including reducing known risk factors for colorectal cancer, such as: obesity, low levels of physical activity, poor diet, tobacco smoking, and drinking alcohol (according to the World Health Organization) .
Increased intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, as well as reduced consumption of meat, especially processed meat.
More physical activity in the daily routine, even in small ways like walking or cycling to work, or taking the stairs instead of using the elevator, can also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Risk factors and symptoms
While anyone can develop colorectal cancer, certain conditions can increase the risk of developing it. Such as:
Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
A genetic syndrome such as familial adenocarcinoma (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
Black/African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews are at greater risk.
Are there symptoms of infection? Colon and rectal cancer often develops without symptoms. When infected with the disease, the following symptoms may appear:
Blood in the stool or on the stool.
Persistent unusual bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhea.
Stomach aches, pains, or cramps that don’t go away.
Losing weight for no reason.
Cancer screening tests
By working with healthcare professionals and social influencers, barriers to screening can be overcome and access to colonoscopy and alternative screening methods can be improved. When detected early, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. A third of adults at risk have not taken steps to make sure the cancer is caught before it develops.
There are many types of early examinations, and the doctor determines the best one according to the situation. Among the most important tips for people who have reached the age between 45 and 50 and do not suffer from high risk factors, and for those who have reached the age of 40 and have high risk factors, we recommend the following:
A clinical examination by a doctor with a rectal examination by inserting a finger to check whether there is a palpable tumor.
– Do a stool test (Fecal Occult Blood Test, FOBT), to see if there is blood in the stool or not! It is recommended to do this test once a year.
Regular or visual colonoscopy, in which the entire rectum and colon are examined using a colonoscope, with the possibility of taking samples of colon tissue for examination. This examination is repeated every 5 or 10 years, according to the patient’s condition.
Colon radiography, using a dye at the same time.
– There are other methods that are best determined by the specialist doctor.
In collaboration with research institutions through the Chris4Life Research program, a range of promising research has been conducted in areas including early colorectal cancer, immunotherapy, biomarkers, and patient-centered research areas such as clinical trials, quality of life, and survival issues. This research program is committed to investing $10 million in innovative and lifesaving research, focused primarily on young adult colorectal cancer research and the health disparities of colorectal cancer.
> When should you see a doctor? Prefer to visit the doctor earlier and early; Symptoms of colorectal cancer may be associated with many other health conditions. And only a specialist doctor can determine the cause of the symptoms. Therefore, a medical care provider should be consulted when any symptoms appear. Early signs of cancer often do not include pain. It must be certain that early detection can save lives.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the type and stage of colon cancer. The doctor will also take into account a person’s age, general health, and certain other characteristics when deciding on the best treatment option. There is no single cure for colon cancer, and options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer, prevent it from spreading, and reduce any bothersome symptoms.
First: Surgery – the most common treatment for colon cancer: There are various surgeries and procedures, including the following:
Polypectomy: the removal of cancerous polyps.
Partial colectomy: in which the part of the colon that contains a tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue is removed. The healthy sections of the colon are then reattached in a procedure called an anastomosis.
Surgical resection with colostomy: Same as colectomy; Surgeons remove the part of the colon that contains the polyp. However, in this surgery, they cannot connect healthy sections of the colon. Instead, they do a colostomy. In a colostomy, the intestines are moved into an opening in the abdominal wall (stoma) for waste to pass into a bag.
Radiofrequency ablation: This procedure uses heat to destroy cancer cells.
Second: chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs may be used to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms of colon cancer. During chemotherapy, the cancer care team gives drugs that interfere with the process of cell division. It does this by disrupting proteins or DNA to destroy and kill cancer cells.
These treatments target any rapidly dividing cells. Including healthy cells. The drugs travel through the entire body, and treatment takes place in cycles, so the body has time to heal between doses. Your oncologist may recommend chemotherapy:
Before surgery to shrink the tumor to make it easier to remove.
After surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
If the cancer has spread to other organs.
Side effects of chemotherapy may include: Hair loss Nausea Fatigue Vomiting. Combination therapies often use multiple types of chemotherapy or combine chemotherapy with other treatments.
Third: Radiation therapy. Cancer cells are killed by focusing on them with high-energy gamma rays. The cancer care team may use external radiation therapy, which bounces these rays from the machine out of the body. With internal radiation, the doctor implants radioactive material near the site of the cancer in the form of a seed.
Some metals, such as radium, emit gamma rays. Radiation may also come from high-energy x-rays. The doctor may order radiotherapy as a stand-alone treatment to shrink a tumor or destroy cancer cells. It can also be effective in combination with other cancer treatments.
For colon cancer, cancer care teams tend not to administer radiation treatments until the later stages. They may use them if early-stage rectal cancer has penetrated the rectal wall or metastasized to nearby lymph nodes.
Side effects of radiation therapy may include: Mild skin changes that look like a sunburn, or darkening of the skin – Nausea – Vomiting – Diarrhea – Fatigue – Loss of appetite – Weight loss. Most side effects will go away or subside a few weeks after completing treatment.
– Means of prevention
Can colorectal cancer be prevented? Screening or “screening” saves lives. Screening (testing for colorectal cancer) is the first method by which colorectal cancer can be prevented. With screening, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Colon and rectal cancer is highly treatable if caught early. This is why timely screening is essential and life-saving. Screening must begin at the age of 45 years.
Recommendations for the prevention of colorectal cancer include:
Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid obesity.
Maintain regular exercise.
Eat foods rich in fiber and avoid sugar.
– Reducing red meat intake, and avoiding processed meat.
– Maintaining nutritional balance by eating more vegetables, such as tomatoes, leafy greens, peppers and carrots. There is strong scientific evidence linking garlic consumption to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
Eat more fruits, legumes and whole grains.
– Reducing fast food or takeaway meals.
Community medicine consultant