WHO MIGHT HAVE COLORECTAL CANCER?

Emobileclinic Trending Issue: Colorectal Cancer

This cancer happens in the intestine. It usually occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the large intestine or rectum. Just like most cancer, it is curable if detected earlier. This cancer isn’t gender biased. It affects both male and female.

Risk factors

Like a polyps, usually harmless growth but can later be cancerous. There are two types of intestinal polyps; adenomas and hyperplastic polyps.

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  • Age: usually happens to people above 50 yrs.

  • History of ovarian or breast cancer

  • Family history of colorectal cancer

  • Presence of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease

It is important to say that the chances of having this cancer to some extent depend on certain life style. Smokers for instance have higher risk of the cancer. Other risks factors are; obesity (big belle), inadequate exercise, hot meal, high consumption of red meat or processed meat.

Early symptoms are rare so it is important to get screened to be able to know your status. This is the only way to cure it just like cervical cancer. Early detection is paramount. The screening is called colonoscopy, which can be done every 8 to 10 years. Fecal blood test can also detect colorectal cancer. A sample of the stool is screened for the presence of blood. This test can be done yearly when colonoscopy isn’t done. At the advanced stage, the tumor is bigger than usual and the following symptoms can be noticed:




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Biopsy is used to further confirm a test which shows the availability of tumor, the doctor will take out the polyps and get tissue sample from the suspicious part which will be studied under the microscope to determine if the polyps is cancerous or not. If found available, the extent of the spread is observed and staged (0,I,II,III,IV). At higher stage, the person has a confirmed cancer case. The survival rate depends on the stages. Surgery might help in certain early stages but when the cancer has affected the surrounding tissue, the doctor may need to remove the entire rectum or colon and even the liver, lungs, or other affected organ.




At advanced stage III, the cancer can still be cured even with the spread. Combined treatments include; surgery, radiation and chemo. However after all these treatments if the cancer comes back it will be very difficult to cure but symptoms may reduce and the affected person might have some years added. Some chemotherapy newly drugs will definitely help to reduce symptoms. The use of intense heat to burn away the tumors (Radiofrequency Ablation) can help to destroy tumors that can’t be surgically removed e.g. tumor in the liver .This is done by inserting a needle like device into the tumor and the surrounding area.

 

 

 

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