Regular exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables help lower the risk of getting the disease.
Regular exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables help lower the risk of getting the disease.
Here are a few facts about colorectal cancer:
Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. It is imperative to detect this cancer at an early stage to give the best chances of prevention and treatment. This cancer is generally more common in males above 50 years of age.
So, how do we identify this lethal cancer? In the early stages, most of the patients do not exhibit any signs. It is mostly in the advanced stages that the symptoms show up.
All those with the above symptoms should consult an oncologist.
I generally proceed with the following diagnostic criteria and investigations to diagnose colorectal cancer:
Early stage: If the tumour is small, then it can be removed through surgery. If the tumour is large, then we give chemotherapy to downsize it and then make it amenable for surgery. The third modality of treatment is radiation, which is also used to treat rectal cancer.
Advanced stage: We carefully assess the curative intent in the advanced stage as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can still potentially cure this cancer. If the cancer is incurable, then the main form of treatment is chemotherapy and targeted therapy. These are medicines that are injected into the body to kill the cancer cells. These drugs have revolutionized the treatment methods for colorectal cancer.
What is the role of chemotherapy and targeted therapy in colorectal cancer?
These drugs have the following advantages:
It is also imperative to opt for chemotherapy and targeted therapy from only a certified medical oncologist. In India, doctors with a D.M. Superspeciality degree in Medical Oncology (or equivalent degree) are qualified for the administration of the same.
To lower the risk of getting the disease, you can do the following:
This article has been written by Dr.Preetam Jain, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Raheja Hospital, Mumbai.
This is, in part, due to enhanced screening measures, early diagnosis, and aggressive surgical techniques.
You can prevent CRC by being physically active, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting the intake of alcohol.
The number of CRC-related deaths is estimated to be approximately 6,08,000 worldwide, accounting for 8% of all cancer deaths.
The symptoms include blood in stool, abdominal pain, and/or a change in bowel habits.
With biomarker testing and personalized treatment methods, there is more hope for patients today, says oncologist.
In this form of cancer, the cells in the colon or rectum divide uncontrollably, producing a tumour.
A diet high in fibre and low in red and processed meat further helps in reducing the risk.
In the advanced stages, targeted therapy and immunotherapy significantly help in improving survival rates.
According to oncologist, fatigue or bleeding in the stool can be indicative of colorectal cancer.
Expert blames alcoholism, smoking, red meat consumption, and obesity for rising incidence.
In the last two decades, the survival rates in stage IV/mCRC have almost doubled due to evolutions in treatment, says oncologist.
Oncologist recommends early screening programs for those at a greater risk.
Regular exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables help lower the risk of getting the disease.
An essential move in this stage is selecting the right drug for the right patient, says oncologist.
As per oncologist, these include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Due to a large number of effective therapies, colorectal cancer is thought of as a solvable problem by the oncology community.
Oncologist recommends genetic screening or screening by colonoscopy for early detection of the disease.
Changing lifestyles and associated dietary habits have resulted in more number of people being diagnosed with the disease at an earlier age.
As per international guidelines, people above 50 years of age should be screened through stool examination and colonoscopy.
Common signs include a change in bowel habits lasting for more than 4 weeks and persistent abdominal cramps.
The incidence of colon cancer rises with age, so anybody above 50 years of age should be screened for it, says oncologist.
Expert emphasizes the need for more screening programs among high-risk groups.
Talk to an oncologist about various screening tests so that the disease can be detected even before the symptoms develop.
Colorectal cancer—in which the cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor—is the third most common cancer in the world.
Colorectal cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the country and is caused due to poor lifestyle habits such as drinking or smoking.
Colorectal cancer is one of the top five cancers in our country, and is prevalent among both males and females.
Lack of physical activity, smoking, and consumption of alcohol increase the chances of developing the disease, says leading oncologist.
Common risk factors include advancing age, positive family history, and consumption of tobacco or alcohol.
