Bowel cancers 101
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer in the colon and/or rectum.
Malaysian cancer statistics (2007) show that one in eight Malaysians suffer from colorectal cancer, making it the second most common cancer in Malaysia.
Like any cancer, it is a “silent” killer, without symptoms until its final stages.
Most Malaysians are not aware of colorectal cancer, or that there is a simple screening test for it.
Surveys show that as many as three out of five Malaysians are not aware of the availability of screening tests for colorectal cancer.
Several studies have also showed that in addition to low awareness, there is also a disturbing lack of awareness of risk factors and symptoms.
Understanding colorectal cancer
To gain a better understanding of colorectal cancer, we need to know at least the basics of the structure of the digestive system.
The stomach and small intestines form part of the body’s digestive system, and the food that you eat is processed here.
Before it is expelled from the body, it passes through the final stages of the digestive system, consisting of the colon and rectum.
The colon is a tube that is roughly five feet in length, and is often referred to as the large intestine. It is the colon’s “job” to extract fluids from food waste, forming stools.
At this point, the stool is gradually pushed into the rectum (which is just around six inches long), which then causes the urge to defecate.
The walls of both the colon and rectum are made up of several layers, and colorectal cancer starts in the innermost layer before it grows through the outer layers.
It typically forms an abnormal growth in the colon or rectum, and once it has reached the final stages of the cancer, it will spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Symptoms that may indicate colorectal cancer are a change in bowel habits, diarrhoea, constipation, stools that are narrower than usual, unrelieved feeling of needing a bowel movement even after defaecation, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, abdominal cramps, feelings of weakness or fatigue and weight loss.
Although these symptoms can just as easily be caused by other digestive disorders, see a doctor right away.
The importance of screening
Often, colorectal cancer will not lead to symptoms until it is quite advanced. This grim fact makes it all the more important to detect it early, which you can do by going for regular screening tests.
There are several screening tests to detect colorectal cancer early, namely:
• Faecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT): This easy-to-use screening test detects the presence of small amounts of blood in your stool that may not be visible. All you have to do is to collect some stool samples to use with the FOBT kit, and a doctor can help you check the results.
• Sigmoidoscopy: This test uses a sigmoidoscope (consisting of a flexible tube) that houses an optical device to allow the doctor to examine your rectum and sigmoid colon, and it could also be a tool for tissue-removal.
• Colonoscopy: This test uses a colonoscope (similar to a sigmoidoscope) that doctors use to examine your rectum and entire colon. Unlike a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy allows the doctor to easily find and remove any abnormal growths in the colon and the rectum – including abnormal growths that may be hidden in the upper portion of the colon that a sigmoidoscopy cannot reach.
The importance of screening and early detection of colorectal cancer cannot be overemphasised – finding it early means improved chances of survival.
Studies have shown that early detection due to screening results in a lower risk of death.
Lower your risk
There are several things you can do to minimise your risk of developing colorectal cancer, most of which are linked to your lifestyle.
For instance, a diet that is rich in red meats and processed meats can increase risk while a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains is linked with lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Other factors that can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer include leading a sedentary lifestyle, overweight/obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use.
To minimise your risk of developing colorectal cancer, start practising a healthy lifestyle – eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet and maintaining a physically active lifestyle – as this will decrease your risk of colorectal cancer.
Category: Features, Health alert
