Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer, is the type of any cancer of the colon and the rectum. The World Health Organization(WHO) and CDC say that after lung cancer it is the second most common cancer worldwide .
Due to
advances in screening techniques and improvements in treatments, the death rate
from colorectal cancer has been dropping for over 20 years.
The American
Cancer Society suggests that about 1 in 20 people in the US will develop
colorectal cancer during their lifetime, with the risk being slightly higher
for men than for women.
A colorectal
cancer may be two types, benign or malignant. Benign means the tumor will not
spread, and a malignant tumor consists of cells that can spread to other parts
of the body and damage them.
The large
intestine is also called the colon or large bowel.
The colon
and rectum belong to our body's digestive system - together they are also known
as the large bowel.
The colon
reabsorbs large quantities of water and nutrients from undigested food products
as they pass along it.
The rectum
is at the end of the colon and stores feces (stools, waste material) before
being expelled from our the body.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer
- Going to the toilet more often.
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Unexplained iron deficiency in men, or in women after the menopause.
- A feeling that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement.
- Bloating in the abdomen.
- A feeling of fullness in the abdomen (maybe even after not eating for a while).
- Vomiting.
- Blood in feces (stools).
- Pains in the abdomen.
- More tiredness.
- Inexplicable weight loss.
- A lump in the tummy or a lump in the back passage felt by your doctor.
These symptoms
may also indicate other possible conditions, it is mostly important that the
patient meets a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Anybody who experiences some of
these symptoms for four weeks he must see their doctor.
Causes of colorectal cancer
Exparts have
been identified several risk factors
over the years - a risk factor is something which may increase a person's
chances of developing a disease or condition.
The possible
risk factors for colorectal factors are:
- Being elderly - the older you are the higher the risk is.
- A diet that is very high in saturated fats.
- Smoking. This study found that smoking is significantly associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer and death
- A diet that is very high in calories.
- A diet that is very high in animal protein.
- A diet that is very high in alcohol consumption.
- Women who have had breast, ovary and uterus cancers.
- A diet that is very low in dietary fiber.
- A family history of colorectal cancer.
- Being overweight.
- Being physically inactive.
- Presence of polyps in the colon/rectum. Untreated polyps may eventually become cancerous.
Most colon
cancers develop within polyps (adenoma). and these are often found inside the
bowel wall.
Recent
developments on colorectal cancer causes
Oral bacteria can cause colorectal cancer
A type of
bacteria that exist in the mouth, These bacteria influence the human immune
response and switch on cancer genes . Fusobacteria, have been found to
trigger colorectal cancer.
Importance of screening
According to
a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are
more than 20 million adults in the US who have never had the recommended
screening for the disease.
Being very overweight
Men who are
very overweight during late adolescence
may be more than twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer by middle age.
Eating processed meats can cause colorectal cancer
According to
the World Health Organization Eating processed meats can cause colorectal
cancer, concludes a new, while eating red meats may also raise risk for the
disease.
According to
WHO (World Health Organization) colorectal cancer is the second most common
tumor among both men and women (after lung tumors).
in Western Europe Approximately 2% of over 50-year-olds will
eventually develop colorectal cancer.
40% of people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer are already at an advanced stage of the cancer. For these patients surgery is probably the most likely option.
40% of people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer are already at an advanced stage of the cancer. For these patients surgery is probably the most likely option.
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