What is Colorectal Cancer?
Your colon and rectum are part of your large intestine. The colon takes in water from what you eat and turns the waste product into poop, while the rectum is where the poop is stored. Colorectal cancer is the abnormal cell growth in the tissues of the colon or rectum. The term sounds intimidating, but it’s possible to survive colorectal cancer, especially if the disease is caught early.
Colorectal cancer treatment in Navi Mumbai is determined based on the stage of cancer, where it began, and your health. Being aware of its symptoms and seeking medical attention at the right time can help improve the success rate of your treatment.
Causes of Colorectal Cancer
Changes in your genetic material can lead to colorectal cancer. Here’s what else can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer:
- Being older (the risk increases with age, although cases of colorectal cancer in young people are also seen nowadays)
- A family history of colorectal cancer
- Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease
- Drinking excessive alcohol
- Smoking cigarettes
- Being obese
- Living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Early diagnosis is the major challenge with most types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. That’s why oncologists in Navi Mumbai recommend getting colonoscopies once you hit a certain age mark. If symptoms show up, they might include:
- Bright red stools that might indicate a possible internal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Thin or pen-like stools
- Unexplained or sudden weight loss without making dietary changes
- Fatigue
- Weakness
Note that these signs aren’t proof that you have colorectal cancer. It’s best to consult your healthcare expert if you notice unusual changes in your bowel movements, especially if they persist.
Diagnosis
Since symptoms alone are not powerful signs of cancer, it’s best to get tests that can help detect it before it has started developing or spreading. It’s advisable to start getting tests when you are 45. Here’s the list of the tools commonly used for diagnosing colorectal cancer.
1. Digital Rectal Exam: The test involves inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to test for polyps and any unusual growth.
2. Colonoscopy: Done under sedation, colonoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera to get an inside view of your large intestine. It’s also used for removing polyps that can turn into cancer later.
3. Stool-based Tests: Your healthcare provider may ask you to provide a stool sample to detect blood in the stool.
Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal treatment can vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Here are the common treatment options:
- Surgery to take out the parts of your large intestine affected by cancer cells
- Chemotherapy to remove the remaining cancer cells
- Radiation therapy to shrink the cancerous tumor before surgery or to kill the leftover cells after surgery.
- Target therapy that targets cancer cells
- Immunotherapy that boosts your immune system to fight cancer effectively.
A combination of these treatment options may be used to remove all cancer cells from your large intestine effectively.