You looks healthy, but is your Colon?

Ludhiana, March 30, 2016: March is the month for Colorectal cancer awareness. Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and the rectum are parts of the large intestine, which is the lower part of the body’s digestive system. For a healthy body, healthy digestion is mandatory & so is the healthy colon.
About Colorectal cancer, Dr.Amit Dhiman, Medical Oncologist & H.O.D, Cancer Department, DMC Hospital Ludhiana said that Colorectal cancer often begins as a minor growth called a polyp, which may form on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Some polyps become cancer over the time. Screening and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a formidable health problem worldwide. It is the third most common cancer in men (663000 cases, 10.0% of all cancer cases) and the second most common in women (571000 cases, 9.4% of all cancer cases). In India, the annual incidence rates (AARs) for colon cancer and rectal cancer in men are 4.4 and 4.1 per 100000, respectively. The AAR for colon cancer in women is 3.9 per 100000.
Risk factors for colon cancer
Looking forward about the risk factors, Dr. Dhiman explained as anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors include the following:
• A family history of cancer of the colon or rectum.
• Certain hereditary conditions
• A history of ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine) or Crohn disease.
• A personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast.
• A personal history of polyps (small areas of bulging tissue) in the colon or rectum.
Diet has important role in Preventing Colon Cancer
As per Dr. Dhiman, People can change their eating habits by reducing fat intake and increasing fiber (roughage) in their diet. Major sources of fat are meat, eggs, dairy products, salad dressings, and oils used in cooking. Fiber is the insoluble, non digestible part of plant material present in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals. It is postulated that high fiber in the diet leads to the creation of bulky stools which can rid the intestines of potential carcinogens. Moreover , a diet enriched with Vitamin D also helps preventing colorectal cancer .
Signs of colon cancer include blood in the stool or a change in bowel habits :
• A change in bowel habits.
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
• Stools that are narrower than usual.
• Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.
• Weight loss for no known reason.
• Feeling very tired.
• Vomiting.
Screening & Diagnostic tests :
Dr. Dhiman quoted that Early Screening helps save lives in colorectal cancer . Apart from normal physical examination & lab tests like Digital rectal examination & fecal test , certain tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis . Colonoscopy is one of the test which helps early detection of any type of abnormality in the colon or rectum like polyps ( small areas of bulging tissues as in the picture ) or cancerous growth . Otherwise biopsy is done to confirm that actually the polyp is cancer or not.
Staging of colon cancer
When a colorectal cancer is diagnosed, additional tests are performed to determine the extent of the disease. This process is called staging. Staging determines how advanced a colorectal cancer has become. With each subsequent stage of colon cancer, the risk for recurrent cancer and death due to spread of the cancer (metastasis) rises.
Treatment of Colon Cancer
While discussing the treatment options , Dr. Dhiman said that different types of treatment are available for patients with colon cancer depending upon the type and extent of disease has spread in the body i.e. , Stage of cancer . Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Earlier, Surgery (removing the cancer in an operation) is the most common treatment for all stages of colon cancer. A doctor may remove the cancerous part of colon with advance surgical procedures. Now days even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the operation, patients may be given chemotherapy orradiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after the surgery, to lower the risk that the cancer will come back, is called adjuvant therapy. Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
At last, in his message to public Dr. Amit Dhiman said , a stitch in time can save nine is apt for colorectal cancer , because Colorectal cancer is preventable , treatable & beatable now days ,so please be aware and lead a healthy lifestyle. If anyone is suffering from above mentioned symptoms from long time , don’t ignore it, consult your doctor . Moreover a regular check up is must.