Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the
large intestine. The symptoms include:
1). Blood in stool
2). Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that
won’t go away
3). A change in bowel habits, such as
diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that
persist longer than usual[1]
4). A feeling of need to have a bowel
movement but don’t pass any stool[1]
5). Losing weight (unintentional)
6). Weakness and fatigue
Risk Factors
- The risk factors include being overweight, physical inactivity, diet high in red meat,
smoking, alcohol, old age, history of inflammatory bowel disease/colonic polyps and
family history of colorectal cancer.[2] - Sometimes it may present with no symptoms when it is in precancerous stage. So, it is
important that everyone undergo screening with colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test
after certain age. - Adults aged 50 years or older should be screened for colorectal cancer. The screening is
done with either fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year or fecal immunochemical test
(FIT) every one to three years or flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with FIT every 5
years or colonoscopy every 10 years.[2]
People who are at increased risk should be
screened early and frequently. - The treatment depends on the size of cancer and its spread to other parts of the body. The
treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy.
References
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
3. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/pdf/basic_fs_eng_color.pdf