Colorectal Cancer
Overview
What is Colorectal cancer?
Risk Factors
Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older. Other risk factors include having—
- Inflammatory bowel disease 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 adenomatous polyposis (FAP)external icon or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
Lifestyle factors that may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer include—
- Lack of regular physical activity.
- A diet low in fruit and vegetables.
- A low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats.
- Overweight and obesity.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Tobacco use.
Diagnosis
In most cases, colon cancers will not have any symptoms in the early stages; they become more apparent when the disease reaches the advanced stages. Therefore, high-risk individuals should consider regular screening, which helps in early detection and on-time treatment.
a. Physical Exam and Medical History Assessment
b. CEA Blood Test
c. Faecal Occult Blood Test
d. Colonoscopy
e. Biopsy
f. Imaging Tests
Treatment
The treatment planning for colon cancer cases is made based on various factors, which include the stage of the disease, the tumour grade, the patient’s age and his/her overall condition.
Early-stage colon cancers are usually treated with surgery; however, as the disease progresses, more comprehensive treatment plans are required which may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
