Colorectal cancer refers to the disease caused when the cells in the rectum or colon grow out in excess. At times, there can be abnormal growths, termed as polyps.
With time, these polyps turn into cancer. With the help of Hong Kong colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer.
This colorectal cancer screening also helps detect cancer at its early stages, where treatment options work best.
What Parts of the Body Gets Affected the Most
In order to understand this kind of cancer, it can help to know what parts of your body get affected and how it works.
The Rectum
This is referred to as a six-inch chamber connecting the colon to your anus. Rectum serves as the storage unit and holds the stool until evacuation (defecation) happens.
The Colon
It is around the five-foot-long tube, connecting small intestines to your rectum. Colon processes and moves digested food across the body and towards your rectum. There are a few parts of the colon, including:
- Sigmoid colon
- Descending colon
- Transverse colon
- Ascending colon
Risk Factors
A risk factor can be anything that increases an individual’s chance of getting cancer. While risk factors usually affect cancer development, most of them don’t cause the disease directly.
Some individuals with a few risk factors never get the disease, whereas those without known factors do. Being familiar with the risk factors and speaking about them can help make more informed healthcare and lifestyle choices.
An individual with an average risk of getting colorectal cancer has around a 6% chance of getting the disease in general.
Types
Many colorectal cancers are basically adenocarcinomas. They begin in cells, making mucus lubricate the inside of the rectum and colon. When doctors speak of colorectal cancers, they mostly mean this kind.
Several subtypes of adenocarcinoma, like mucinous and signet ring, might have a worse outlook (prognosis) compared to other adenocarcinoma subtypes. While they are rare, there can be other forms, including:
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
They occur in special cells located in the GI tract lining, referred to as ICCs (interstitial cells of Cajal). About 52% of GISTs occur in small rectums.
GISTs can also be classified as sarcomas or cancer, starting in connective tissues, including blood vessels, nerves, cartilage, bones, deep skin tissues, fat, and muscle.
- Lymphomas
This is a cancer of immune system cells. Mostly, they begin in lymph nodes. However, they might as well start in the rectum, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and colon, among other organs.
Lymphomas usually account for around 0.6% of every colorectal cancer and 7% lymphomas. This kind of colorectal cancer normally occurs later in life and is often common among men.
- Colon and Rectal Melanomas
Usually, it is related to skin cancer and may begin anywhere, including in your rectum or colon, and later spread to the GI tract.
According to Hong Kong Cancer Fund, melanoma accounts for around 2.5% of every cancer in the digestive system. How this cancer develops in the human color is not understood well, and it is very rare.
Stages
Doctors normally use staging as the general guideline to determine how far cancer has gone. Doctors need to know the stage of colorectal cancer since it helps determine the right treatment option.
It is also a perfect way to estimate the long-term outlook of patients. Like every kind of cancer, colorectal cancer also has the following stages:
- Stage 4 – The disease spreads to distant organs, like the lungs or liver
- Stage 3 – It has moved to your lymph nodes but hasn’t spread to other body parts
- Stage 2 – Cancer has already spread to rectum or colon walls and other nearby tissues
- Stage 1 – It has entered the mucosa or lining of the rectum or colon and might have grown into muscle layers.
- Stage 0 – Abnormal cells are just in the inner lining of your rectum or colon
When to Visit Your Doctor
If you observe some persistent symptoms which worry you, ensure you schedule an appointment with a medical doctor.
You can observe the primary symptoms of growth or polyp in your rectum or colon lining.
You might not know that you have one. The best way to see growth is to use special cameras through colonoscopy. Once polyps develop, it might result in stomach cramps, unplanned weight loss, fatigue/weakness, bleeding from the rectum, and blood in the stool.
Diagnosis
Screening is an effective procedure to detect the early stage of colorectal cancer. While it is advisable to start screening in the 50s, even individuals without risk factors and symptoms can have a digital exam and blood test every year.
With screening, your doctor will be able to detect and get rid of polyps before becoming cancerous. It becomes easy to treat as new growths take between 10 and 15 years to change into cancer.
To detect colorectal cancer, doctors might need to take several screening tests. Some of the screening tests they might use include:
- Barium enema
- Colonoscopy
- Digital rectal exam
- Genetic risk assessment
- Computer tomography
- Biopsy
Treatment and Prevention
You can treat colorectal cancer through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery. The best treatment method depends on how cancer has spread and its site.
For colorectal cancers, surgery is normally the best method. But when it is still in its early stage, doctors may use a colonoscope to remove cancerous cells and tissues.
Chemotherapy may also be effective in the last stage of colorectal cancers. While it can’t cure metastatic colorectal cancer, it may double life expectancy and improve life quality.
If you don’t have any signs of colorectal cancer, it is important to start preventing it. A lifestyle that includes a diet high in fiber & low in fats and regular exercise may help prevent the disease.
Closing Remarks!
Colorectal cancers are common and one of the leading causes of death. Treating it while it is still in its early stage may help get rid of cancerous cells as well as improve the chances of having positive results.
But symptoms might not appear until it reaches stage 3 or stage 4. So anyone with higher risks of getting this cancer needs to schedule a regular screening.
