It usually develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum, parts of the digestive system.
The colon usually absorbs water and nutrients from food and forms stool, while the rectum stores stool.
Cancer starting in the colon is called colon cancer, and in the rectum, it is rectal cancer.
Causes and Risk Factors
Colorectal cancer occurs due to changes in genetic material (DNA), often during a person's lifetime.
Some changes are inherited. Risk factors include:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Family or personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomas
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
- Lifestyle factors such as heavy alcohol use, smoking, obesity, and being Black.
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Symptoms might not appear initially but can include:
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation)
- Stool shape changes or the presence of blood
- Persistent abdominal discomfort (gas pains, bloating, cramps)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Screening and Diagnosis
Screening is crucial for early detection. Experts recommend starting screenings at age 45 and continuing until age 75.
Tests include
- stool tests
- colonoscopies,
- flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Diagnosis may involve
- Physical exam
- Digital rectal exam
- Colonoscopy
- Stool tests
- Biopsies
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment depends on cancer type, stage, and patient health.
Options include surgery, radiofrequency ablation, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Prevention involves lifestyle changes like not smoking, limiting alcohol, managing weight, regular exercise, and routine screenings to detect and remove polyps before they turn into cancerous.
If you have risk factors or symptoms of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about screening options. Early detection through regular screening is necessary for effective treatment.
