Colorectal cancer is quite common and affects multiple individuals across the world. To be precise, it makes up for around 10% of cases. However, this chronic condition is preventable and can be treated by experts successfully if diagnosed early. However, there is a lot of misinformation associated with colorectal cancer, which leaves many individuals confused about its treatment process. People who are smart enough will approach an oncologist or cancer specialist who can provide more information about the cancer type and how to diagnose or treat it.
This guide discusses which category of individuals may be the most affected by colorectal cancer and how an early diagnosis can save lives.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer affects either your colon or the rectum. It is often called colon or rectum cancer, and depends on where the condition actually starts. Most colorectal cancer types can be seen in the inner lining of a person’s rectum or colon. These growing tumors are called polyps that can be benign or non-cancerous.
There is a high chance if a polyp has cancer inside it if there are more than 3 types found in the colon or rectum. A person may also be diagnosed with colon cancer if their polyp is larger than 1 cm.
The innermost layer of the colon, also called a mucosa, is often at risk of getting colorectal cancer. Eventually, it continues to grow outward through multiple layers.
The right way to diagnose colorectal cancer is by approaching an oncologist in Mumbai.
Who is at Risk of Getting Colorectal Cancer?
Individuals who are already 45 years or older may be at an increased risk of developing colon or colorectal cancer. Most of these individuals have a family history of cancer or polyps, or live with specific health factors and lifestyle conditions, such as alcohol abuse or lack of physical activity.
A study by the Cancer Research Institute suggests that colorectal cancer is generally seen in 1 in 26 women and 1 in 25 men.
So, if you are above 45 and see any of the symptoms discussed below, it’s high time to consult a cancer specialist Mumbai.
What are the Common Colorectal Cancer Symptoms?
Unfortunately, colorectal cancer has very mild or zero symptoms at the early stages. However, the most common ones that frequently occur among patients are:
- Changes in the bowel habits, followed by constipation or diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
- Pain or bloating, followed by abdominal cramps
- Unexpected or sudden weight loss
- Continued fatigue
- Anemia or iron deficiency because of chronic bleeding
How Does Colorectal Screening Actually Work?
Colorectal or colon screening is a process that looks for signs of cancer before you have any symptoms. These tests involve checking for the presence of early-stage cancer polyps in a person’s colon or rectum. What happens during the screening depends on the tests decided by your oncologist or cancer specialist:
Colonoscopy
It is often considered the most accurate screening method for detecting colon cancer. This involves sedating the person or making them fall asleep. The professional will use a flexible scope with a camera to search for polyps and cancers inside the colon or rectum. This allows them to test the tissues for cancer cells later.
Stool Sample Test
This test is simple: you collect your stool and send it to the lab for checking blood samples, if any. That’s because in most cases, the polyps bleed if you have colorectal cancer. Generally, you need to take this stool test every one or three years, or as prescribed by your physician,most
Imaging Test
It’s also called computed tomography (CT) colonoscopy and makes the use of certain scans to get a 3D image of your colon. Later, a cancer specialist will analyze the same images to check for any abnormal growth for colorectal cancer treatment in Mumbai. You must repeat the procedure every 5 years if your results come out normal.
How Does Colorectal Cancer Screening Save Lives?
Many people may not like getting screened for colorectal cancer if everything is going well with their health. However, if a person is above 45, it’s high time for them to get their screening done soon.
This applies to those who have a history of cancer in their family, genetic conditions that also pose a risk of cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
It is obvious for any person to be unsure about getting a screening done, especially for a serious condition like cancer.
However, colorectal cancer screening is worth doing because, as discussed earlier, it is very difficult to detect its symptoms in certain individuals. Most importantly, an early screening is your only way to get early diagnosis and treatment. These procedures, in turn, can either help cure or prevent colon cancer completely.
Prepare Yourself for Colorectal Cancer Screening
An oncologist in Mumbai can always give you a better idea about whether you need screening for colorectal or colon cancer. They will also suggest following some guidelines before proceeding with the screening tests. For example, most imaging tests require you to have certain food and medication restrictions. The bowel must also be ready and prepared well to empty your colon accordingly.
In some cases, dietary restrictions begin 3 days before the test, especially if you are going for a colonoscopy. You may also have to drink a solution to clear your colon ahead of the test.
However, most stool tests require minimal or zero preparation. You may still need to avoid certain food items or medications before sending your stool for testing.
Final Thoughts on Colorectal Cancer
Cancer screening may be one of the last things you may want to go through when seeking healthcare. However, the correct way to prevent cancer from affecting your life in this case is by trying to prevent it as soon as possible. If you get your screening done on time, there is a higher chance that you can defeat your cancer quickly. Having doubts is good, so always talk to any cancer specialist or oncologist to learn more about the tests needed to detect any chronic condition.
Those who make these habits a consistent part of their healthcare plan tend to live longer and get better care.
ThePrint BrandIt content is a paid-for, sponsored article. Journalists of ThePrint are not involved in reporting or writing it.