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Identifying colorectal cancer -

Colorectal cancer, which also includes colon or bowel (rectal) cancer, is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. The disease is designated as colon or bowel cancer, depending on where the cancer starts.

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Who's most at risk? -

It's a common cancer in men and women, with 66 being the median age of diagnosis among both sexes.

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What is the colon? -

The colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine. The large intestine includes the rectum and anus.

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Where does the cancer develop? -

The cancer develops on the colon's mucus membrane. In 70% of cases, the tumor develops in the sigmoid colon.

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How does the cancer develop? -

Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer.

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Slow to appear -

In fact, colorectal cancer can take many years to develop, as long as 10-15 years. But this can lull the patient into a false sense of security. In this image, cancer tumors (marked in red) are present in the caecum and rectum.

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Colorectal cancer stages -

If left untreated, the cancer will take hold. This image illustrates the various stages of development. From left to right: 1st stage: sub mucus membrane is infected; 2nd stage: the muscularis is infected; 3rd stage: the muscularis, the sub serous membrane, the nonperitonealised pericolic tissue, and the perirectal tissue are infected.

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Risk factors -

Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older. You're also more susceptible to the condition if you have inflammatory bowel disease, for example Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

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Family history of disease -

The risk factor increases if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.

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Colorectal cancer symptoms -

Colorectal cancer doesn't always cause symptoms, especially at first. However, there are three red flags to look out for.

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Three main signs -

The three main symptoms of colorectal cancer are: persistent blood in or on your stool; a change in bowel habits; and persistent lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating, or discomfort.

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Other indicators -

Diarrhea, constipation, or the feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way are other indicators that something is amiss.

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Worrying weight loss -

Significant unintentional weight loss is another sign of a potentially serious medical condition.

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When to see a doctor -

It's important to stress that all these symptoms can be indicative of disorders other than cancer. The only way to check what's causing them is to see a doctor.

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The age factor -

While these symptoms should always be taken seriously, there's a particular urgency to obtain a diagnosis if you're nearing 50: most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after age 50.

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What if symptoms persist? -

If symptoms like abdominal pain, aches, or cramps persist, don't delay in seeking further medical advice.

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Medical examination -

If your doctor is suspicious of cancer, you'll be scheduled to undergo a medical examination. This may entail an inspection of your tummy and backside to make sure you have no lumps.

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Blood test -

A simple blood test can check for iron deficiency anemia. This can indicate whether there's any bleeding from your bowel that you have not been aware of.

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Fecal occult blood test -

Alternatively, you may be asked to undertake a fecal occult blood test where a small sample of your stool is obtained and sent to a lab. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood—a potential sign of polyps or bowel cancer.

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Colorectal cancer screening -

In fact, a fecal occult blood test is one of the five types of tests used to screen for colorectal cancer. Screening also involves a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and a DNA stool test.

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Screening recommendations -

A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn't have symptoms. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum. It makes sense therefore to undergo screening and have any removed before they turn malignant.

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When to commence regular screenings -

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. In fact, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. So, how can you help yourself remain cancer free?

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Exercise regularly -

The benefits of regular exercise on the human body is well documented. Being inactive is a no-no and also encourages ill-health, cancer included.

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Healthy diet -

There are several lifestyle options you can adopt to decrease the chances of developing colorectal cancer. Following a healthy, balanced diet low in animal fats and high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a gut-friendly way of maintaining overall good health.

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Check your weight -

Keeping to a healthy weight doubtless keeps body and soul together. Bowel cancer especially is more common in overweight or obese people.

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Limit alcohol consumption -

Embracing healthy lifestyle choices also means limiting alcohol intake. Drinking too much promotes ill-health, including a number of cancers.

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Stub out the habit -

If you smoke, quit. Better still, avoid tobacco from the get-go.

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Colorectal cancer survival rate -

According to Cancer.Net, the five-year survival rate of people with localized stage colorectal cancer is 91%. This percentage decreases the later the cancer is detected.

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Colon cancer survival rate -

Similarly, the five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with colon cancer at a localized stage is 91%. Again, this figure decreases the later the cancer is detected.

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Bowel cancer survival rate -

And the five-year survival rate for bowel, or rectal, cancer if detected at a localized stage is 90%. Similarly, this percentage decreases dramatically if the cancer has spread.

See also: Tips on healthy aging for a long life

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