Is Your Stomach Healthy? - Colorectal Cancer

The Frightening Reality of Colorectal Cancer

The word “cancer” itself brings fear. Due to widespread negative perceptions, its crucial for us to understand cancer better and be mentally prepared to confront it. This weeks article focuses on colorectal cancer – what causes it, how to prevent it, and available treatments.

Functions of the Colon and Rectum

The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. After digestion, food reaches the large intestine where water is absorbed, and the solid waste remains in the rectum before being expelled. Tumors forming in the large intestine most commonly occur in the rectum.

The Rising Threat of Colorectal Cancer

Once considered prevalent only in Western countries, colorectal cancer has been rising rapidly in India due to lifestyle and dietary shifts. As we adopted Western-style fast food diets, so too have their diseases followed us.

Over the last 20 years, colorectal cancer cases in India have risen significantly. One study reported a 20% increase in the last decade, with Chennai seeing a 35% rise. Knowing about this disease – its causes, impact, and treatments – can help prevent and manage it.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

1. Dietary Changes: Traditional diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits protected against such diseases. Modern diets high in fat, processed meat, fast food like pizza and burgers, and low in fiber are major risk factors.
2. Constipation: Hard stools can injure the colon lining, which may evolve into cancer over time.
3. Family History: Hereditary factors can increase the risk.
4. Polyps: Small benign growths in the colon or rectum may turn cancerous if left untreated.

Even healthy people with no bad habits can develop this cancer. For example, a 60-year-old retired government employee with no bad habits was diagnosed with colorectal cancer after seeking treatment for constipation.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Early symptoms are often ignored or misattributed to minor conditions like:

• Chronic constipation
• Blood in stool
• Lower abdominal pain
• Frequent urges to defecate without relief

These symptoms are often dismissed as hemorrhoids or normal aging. Delay in diagnosis can lead to advanced cancer stages that are harder to treat.

For instance, a retired college professor suffered from constipation and rectal bleeding for six months, assuming it was a minor issue. It was only after tests that colorectal cancer was detected.

Notably, colorectal cancer is now appearing in people in their 40s and 50s – not just older adults. So early attention to symptoms is critical.

Diagnosis Methods

• Colonoscopy (Endoscopy through the anus)
• Blood tests
• CT scans

These modern diagnostic tools help detect colorectal cancer early. Anyone over 40 should undergo routine screening. Family members of those affected should be especially vigilant.

Advanced Treatments

Surgical removal of the affected part of the colon and reconnection to the rectum (colorectal anastomosis) is the main treatment. Today, this is often done laparoscopically – through keyhole surgery with minimal pain and blood loss.

Since the rectum is located in a complex area surrounded by organs like the bladder, uterus, nerves, and blood vessels, 3D and 4K laparoscopic tools help surgeons perform precise and safe procedures. Robotic-assisted surgeries offer even better precision.

Depending on the cancer stage, additional treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be necessary for a complete cure.

Preserving the Anus – Avoiding Colostomy Bags

In the past, surgery for rectal cancer often meant removing the anus and diverting waste to a colostomy bag. This discouraged many from seeking surgery.

Today, with MRI scans and advanced imaging, the exact tumor location can be identified, allowing surgeons to preserve the anus in most cases. Only when the anus itself is directly affected does it need removal. Thus, fear of losing the anus is now mostly avoidable.

March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is globally observed as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, with campaigns, free screenings, and education drives. Sharing information from these efforts with friends and family can be a life-saving service.

Lets use this awareness to get tested and live a healthy life.