About colorectal cancer- ULCA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Care

Best way to deal with colorectal cancer! ;)

I was detected with Colon Cancer on May 5, 2015. What took be by surprise were the symptoms. I thought I was having a normal diarrhoea and fatigue because of my busy work schedule. Never thought that these so called harmless symptoms can belong to colorectal cancer! It really came as a shock to me when I read about the symptoms of various cancers. Most of them are ordinary symptoms like (weakness, weight loss, fever, fatigue etc.), which can be handled with our basic knowledge of medicines or by going to the local general physician. But these days everything seems upside down, the ordinary has become extra-ordinary specially in case of cancer. 

So today's blog post is about colorectal cancer - description, symptoms, prevention, & tests to screen the disorder. The source of this article is ULCA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Care 

About Colorectal Cancer:

Colorectal cancer is a disease in which normal cells in the lining of colon or rectum begin to change, start to grow uncontrollably and no longer die. These changes usually take years to develop; however in some cases of heredity disease, changes can occur within months to years. Both genetic and environmental factors can cause the changes.

Initially the cell growth appears as benign (non cancerous) polyp that can, over time, become a cancerous tumor. If not treated or removed, a poly can become a potentially life-threatening cancer. Recognizing and removing precancerous polyps before they become cancer can prevent colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer - 10 Symptoms:

1.   Constant tiredness or fatigue

2.   Feeling very tired all the time        

3.     Having nausea and vomiting

4.     Losing weight no known reason

5.     Unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia (low number of red blood cells)

6.     A change in bowel habits

7.   Diarrhoea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely

8.   Stools that look narrower or thinner than normal ( check internet images for these       because you may to know how they look)

9.   Bright red or very dark stool (check internet images for these because you may not know how they look)

10.   Discomfort in the abdomen, including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness and cramps

 However, it is important to note that these may also be symptoms of less severe, more conditions.

Colorectal Cancer: Prevention

When colorectal cancer is detected early, it can often be cured. The death rate from this type of cancer has been declining for the past 20 years, possibly because more cases are being detected early amd treatments have improved.

 People in their 50s and older should be screened, and certain people should begin colorectal screening earlier and/or undergo screening more often if they have the following:

1.   A personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps

2.   A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative younger than 60 or in two first-degree relatives of any age). A first degree relative is defined as parent, sibling or child.

3.    A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease

4.    A family history of heredity colorectal cancer symptoms 

5.   If immediate family is diagnosed before 50, other family member should be tested at least ten years earlier, ie, if an individual’s father is diagnosed at age  45, then the children should be screened starting at age 35.

Colorectal Cancer: Tests to screen the disorder

 1. Focal occult blood test (FOBT):  A test used to detect blood in the stool, which can indicate the presence of polyps or cancer. Polyps and cancers do not bleed continually, so the FOBT must be done on several stool samples each year and should be repeated annually. This test has low sensitivity for detecting colon cancer and should not be used alone in screening colon cancer.

2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy: A sidmoidoscope (light tube) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps, cancer and other abnormalities. During the procedure, a doctor cannot check the upper part of the colon (ascending and transverse colon) with the test. If polyps or cancer is detected using this test, a colonoscopy to view the entire colon is recommended.

3. Colonoscopy: This test allows the doctor to look inside the entore rectum and colon while a patient is sedated. A colonscope (light tube) is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to look for polyps or cancer. During procedure, a doctor can remove polyps and other tissue for examination.

4. Double contrast barium enema (DCBE): For patients who cannot have a colonoscopy, an enema containing barium is given, which helps the outline of the colon and rectum stand out on X-rays.  A series of X-rays is then taken of th colon and rectum.  This test has not been shown to improve outcomes and therefore is not a preferred screening approach.

5. Other: Computed tomography (CT or CAT) colonography and fecal DNA tests are experimental screening methods. CT colonoscopy is offered in some institutions, but people should be aware that it is still considered to be under development and requires interpretation by a skilled radiologist in order to be used to its best advantage.

Beginning at the age 50, both men and women of average risk should follow one of these four testing schedules:

 1. Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

2. Flexible sigmoidscopy every five years

3. Yearly fecal occult blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years

4. Colonoscopy every 10 years.

Source: UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Care

 This very valuable information. If any of the points are applicable to you then please get a check up done immediately from a reputed hospital/nursing home/med centre. Please do not ignore because its not worth having a mega disease like cancer!

Cost of coloscopy : Rs 6,500
This is an indicative cost. Cost will vary from hospital to hospital. 

Blue is the color of colorectal cancer!

Blue is also associated with depth & stability.
It symbolises trust, confidence, wisdom
loyalty, intelligence, faith truth and heaven!

Blue is considered to the mind & body!
It slows the human metabolism
and shows a calming effect on the body.