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Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Screening & Its Importance 

by hussain

Overview

The colon is also referred to as the large intestine or the bowel. The rectum is the passageway between the colon and the anus. These two together form the lower portion of the digestive tract. Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells lining the colon or rectum become abnormal and grow out of control. It is a type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum.

It ranks as the third most prevalent type of cancer in the United States and also said to be the second leading cause of death among cancers that affect both sexes. Colorectal cancer screening tests can detect abnormal cells and remove them before they develop into cancer. Screening also aids in the detection of colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colon cancer most commonly affects older adults, but it can strike at any age. It starts as very small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps that form inside the colon. Some of these polyps develop into cancer over time. The chances of a polyp developing into cancer are determined by the type of polyp. Polyps are classified into several types.

⦁ Adenomatous Polyps (Adenomas):

These polyps can develop into cancer. As a result, adenomas are classified as pre-cancerous conditions. Adenomas are classified into three types: tubular, villous, and tubulovillous.

⦁ Hyperplastic & Inflammatory Polyps:

These are more common, but they are not pre-cancerous in most cases. Some individuals may need more frequent colonoscopies for colorectal cancer screening if they have large (greater than 1 cm) hyperplastic polyps.

⦁ Sessile Serrated Polyps (SSP) & Traditional Serrated Adenomas (TSA):

Because of their increased risk of colorectal cancer, these polyps are frequently treated as adenomas.

It is said that polyps are very small and cause few, if any, symptoms. As a result, doctors advise regular colorectal cancer screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by detecting and removing polyps before they develop into cancer.

Many treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and drug treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are available to help control colon cancer.

What are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer?

Some of the factors that increase your risk of developing colon cancer are unchangeable. These are some of the risk factors:
1. Age above 50
2. A history of colon polyps
3. A history of bowel diseases
4. A family history of colorectal cancer
5. Presence of certain genetic syndromes, such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)

There are other risk factors that can be avoided. This means you can alter them to reduce your chances of developing colon cancer. Theses include:
1. Obesity or being overweight
2. Smoking
3. Heavy drinking
4. Type 2 diabetes
5. Living a sedentary lifestyle
6. Eating a diet high in processed meats

What are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?

Unfortunately, some colorectal cancers can exist without any symptoms. As a result, it is essential to have regular colorectal screenings to detect problems early on. The most effective colorectal cancer screening test is a colonoscopy. Fecal occult blood tests, fecal DNA tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and CT colonography are some other screening options.

The age at which such screening tests are initiated is determined by your risk factors, particularly a family history of colon and rectal cancer. However, even if you have no family history of colorectal cancer, tell your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed below regardless of your age.

Colorectal cancer symptoms include the following:

⦁ Changes in bowel habits:

Although constipation, diarrhea, stool narrowing, incomplete evacuation of stool, and bowel incontinence are usually symptoms of other, less serious problems, they can also be symptoms of colorectal cancer.

⦁ Blood in the stool:

By far the most noticeable of all the symptoms, blood in the stool can be linked to colorectal cancer. However, it does not always indicate cancer because a variety of other conditions, such as hemorrhoids, anal tears (fissures), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, to name a few, can cause digestive tract bleeding. Furthermore, iron and some foods, such as beets, can cause the stool to appear black or red, giving the impression of blood in the stool. If you notice blood in or on your stool, consult your doctor to rule out a serious condition and ensure proper treatment.

⦁ Unexplained anemia:

Anemia is a lack of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. Shortness of breath may occur if you are anemic. You may also feel tired and sluggish, to the point where rest does not help.
1.  Bloating
2. Pain in the abdomen or pelvis
3. Sudden weight loss
4. Vomiting

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer can save a person’s life.

How can we detect Colorectal cancer early?

Colorectal cancer can be prevented and detected early with regular screening beginning at the age of 45. Polyps can be detected through screening before they become cancerous.

Several screening tests are available to detect polyps or colorectal cancer. The following are the most typical techniques for diagnosing and screening colorectal cancer:

Colonoscopy:

A colonoscopy is a gold standard for diagnosing colorectal cancer. It has a high level of accuracy and can pinpoint the exact location of a tumor. The procedure involves the use of a colonoscope, which is a long, thin, flexible tool with a light and a camera. It enables the doctor to view the entire colon and rectum. During the procedure, they may remove polyps or take a biopsy of tissue for testing.

Although a colonoscopy is painless, some people take a mild sedative to help them relax. A laxative fluid may also be required to empty the colon prior to the procedure. Bleeding and colon wall perforation are uncommon but possible complications.

Stool Blood Test:

This test is used to detect the presence of blood in a stool sample. There are numerous conditions. This can cause blood in the stool, and a positive result does not always indicate the presence of cancer.

Immunochemistry of the Feces:

This test, also known as a fecal occult blood test, looks for blood in the lower colon. It entails collecting a stool sample at home with a small kit.

DNA Analysis of Feces:

This test looks for DNA markers that colon cancer or precancerous polyps shed into the stool. At home, a person collects an entire bowel movement for testing in a lab. If the test is positive, a colonoscopy will be performed later.

It’s important to remember that this test can’t detect every cancer-related DNA marker.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy:

A sigmoidoscopy, a flexible, thin, lighted tube, is used to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon — the last part of the colon before the rectum.

The test only takes a few minutes and is not painful, but it may be unpleasant. There is a slight possibility of perforating the colon’s wall.

Barium Enema X-ray:

Barium is a contrast dye that can highlight any abnormalities on an X-ray. As an enema, a healthcare professional administers it to the bowel.

Following a barium enema X-ray, a doctor may recommend a colonoscopy for further investigation.

CT Colonoscopy:

This generates colon images. It is less invasive than a colonoscopy, but if a mass is discovered, the patient will require a colonoscopy.

Imaging Scans:

If cancer has spread to another part of the body, ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans can detect it.

What is the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer?

A number of factors influence colon cancer treatment. Based on your overall health and the stage of your colon cancer, your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Surgery

\In the early stages of colon cancer, your surgeon may be able to remove cancerous polyps through surgery. You stand a good chance of surviving if the polyp has not yet tethered to the bowel wall.
Your colon or rectum may need to be partially removed, along with any nearby lymph nodes by the surgeon, if cancer has spread to the bowel walls. The surgeon is then able to reconnect the remaining healthy colon to the rectum. And if this is not possible, a colostomy may be performed. This entails making an opening in the abdominal wall to allow waste to be removed. A colostomy can be both either temporary or permanent.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It is frequently used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells in people with colon cancer. It also inhibits tumor growth.

The following chemotherapy drugs are used to treat colon cancer:
1. Irinotecan  (Camptosar)
2. Capecitabine (Xeloda)
3. Fluorouracil
4. Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)

Radiation

In order to target and eliminate cancerous cells both before and after surgery, radiation uses a potent beam of energy similar to that used in X-rays. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are frequently combined.

Takeaway

Colorectal cancer is the second most leading cause of death from cancer. Early treatment can remove cancerous cells and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Colorectal cancer symptoms should be taken seriously. They may also indicate other potentially serious health issues. Symptoms of this cancer, however, may not appear until the later stages.

Anyone who is at risk of developing colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor about getting screened. Regular colorectal cancer screening increases the likelihood of an early diagnosis. Learn more about multiple Clinical Research in Michigan conducting screening and diagnostic tests for different conditions.

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