What Is Colorectal Cancer

1. Introduction

A colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis can be very overwhelming. The dangers, prevention and treatment of colon cancer are still not widely known and are not discussed because CRC affects parts of the body that people often find embarrassing or even forbidden to talk about.

In Malaysia, Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer amongst men and 3rd most common amongst women. It is most prevalent amongst middle class Chinese.

With regular screening, colorectal cancer can be found early, when treatment is most effective. In many cases, screening can prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer. And if cancer is present, earlier detection means a chance at a longer life.

Nine in 10 new cases are people 50 or older. However, colorectal cancer does not discriminate and can happen to men and women at any age.

2. Cancer Overview

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. As the drawing shows, the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly successful. In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has metastasized to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment can prolong and add to the quality of life.

Most colorectal cancers develop first as colorectal polyps, which are growths inside the colon or rectum that may later become cancerous.

3. Symptoms

Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, they may include:

Having diarrhea or constipation
Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
Finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
Finding your stools are narrower than usual
Frequently having gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated
Losing weight with no known reason
Feeling very tired all the time
Having nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor can determine why you're having these symptoms. Usually, early cancer does not cause pain. It is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.
Early detection in vital -- over 80% of all cases of colorectal cancer can be prevented with recommended screening. Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early enough, most treatable forms of cancer.

4. Screening Can Reduce Your Risk

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.
Studies have found the following risk factors for colorectal cancer:

Age over 50: Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is 72.
Colorectal polyps: Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. They are common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (not cancer), but some polyps (adenomas) can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Family history of colorectal cancer: Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history of colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age. If many close relatives have a history of colorectal cancer, the risk is even greater.

If you're 50 or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here's how:

Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that shouldn't be there.
Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.

5. Screening Methods

The common screening tests used to detect polyps, cancer, or other abnormal areas are:

Colonoscopy: Your doctor examines inside the rectum and entire colon using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope. Your doctor removes polyps that may be found.
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): Sometimes cancers or polyps bleed, and the FOBT can detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool. If this test detects blood, other tests are needed to find the source of the blood. Benign conditions (such as hemorrhoids) also can cause blood in the stool.

To learn more about colorectal cancer, visit the following sites: