Among all the diseases known to humanity, cancer is perhaps the most malignant of them all. Not only because it kills many people every year, but also because of the suffering many experience from the disease itself and also from its treatment. One of the most well-known types of cancer is colorectal cancer, which can often be lethal, but also has available treatment. And despite the fear we all have, the disease exists and it’s necessary to understand what it is and what consequences it may bring.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer, also called colorectal carcinoma, is nothing more than a malignant tumor that forms in the large intestine or even in the rectum. It is the most common type of cancer of the digestive system, affecting more than 150,000 people per year in Brazil alone.

This type of cancer usually occurs first with the development of small benign tumors in the large intestine or rectum, which may take many years to become malignant. The disease can be prevented if these small benign tumors are removed through a colonoscopy, although this is not a guarantee that it will not develop later.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

There are several factors that can lead a person to develop colorectal cancer. We can mention some of them as main factors, both by the number of cases and the level of risk they pose. They are:

  • Advanced Age
  • Smoking
  • Type of Diet
  • Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Hereditary Diseases

Advanced Age

People over 50 years old are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than others. This can be aggravated by factors such as family history and a person’s lifestyle habits, such as diet, drug use, and physical inactivity.

Smoking

Age is not the only factor that can cause a person to develop this type of cancer. Although risk factors working together contribute to its development, smoking by itself is a significant danger and a risk factor for developing colorectal cancer.

Type of Diet

A diet high in red meat and low in fruits, vegetables, and calcium can contribute to the development of the disease. Although this is a long-term factor, there are cases of young people who developed colorectal cancer exactly for these reasons.

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle is also one of the main contributing factors for this disease and, as with the other factors mentioned here, can be aggravated by additional factors such as smoking and advanced age, but is already a major risk on its own.

Obesity

Obesity is often a consequence of poor lifestyle choices, such as poor diet and lack of physical activity, both of which are risk factors for developing colorectal cancer. Therefore, obesity is also one of the main risk factors for the disease.

Hereditary Diseases

Certain hereditary diseases such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) can contribute to the development of this type of cancer. This is one of the only factors that cannot be prevented, as heredity is part of who you are. The best option is to pay greater attention when you know that you are part of this risk group.

How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

As we mentioned in the topic above, several risk factors can be avoided by controlling your lifestyle habits. A balanced and healthy diet rich in all necessary nutrients, regular exercise, and not using drugs, especially tobacco and alcohol, are factors that greatly contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

It is true that there are cases where the disease cannot be prevented, but this mainly happens with people who are part of risk groups, such as those who have hereditary diseases. In these cases, it is always necessary to be vigilant so that, if the disease does appear, it is discovered at an early stage when the chances of cure are greater.

Symptoms of Intestinal Cancer

Several symptoms may indicate that a person is suffering from the disease, although only a diagnosis by a specialized doctor can confirm its presence. The main symptoms of colorectal cancer are:

  • Rectal bleeding
  • Anemia
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Sensation of incomplete evacuation
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Change in stool color

It is important to remember that these symptoms appearing in isolation can also be signs of other diseases or changes in the body, so you need to watch for the combination of these symptoms.

Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

There are two main tests to detect this type of cancer. From these, the doctor can have a better idea of how to specifically treat each case. They are:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Fecal Occult Blood Test

Colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the final part of a person’s digestive system, and can detect any type of tumor, whether malignant or benign, using a camera inserted through the anus.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

The fecal occult blood test is an exam that should be performed by people at risk for developing the disease, usually older individuals. If the test suggests the possibility of cancer, a colonoscopy is then performed.

After the disease is diagnosed, further tests are done to determine the stage of the disease and what type of treatment the person will undergo. In addition, factors like family history are also considered, precisely to determine if the disease could progress more quickly.

Treatments for Colorectal Cancer

Depending on the stage of the disease, different treatment methods are needed. This can also depend on a number of other factors such as age and the person’s overall health.

At an early stage, for example, surgery to remove the tumors is the treatment most recommended by doctors. In a slightly more advanced state, surgery to remove part of the intestine may also be performed.

In the most severe cases, more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy are necessary to shrink and eliminate tumors in the colon.

The chances of survival for someone with colorectal cancer can also vary greatly, depending on all the factors mentioned here and the body’s response to the treatment prescribed.

Any type of cancer is a cause for concern, that’s true. But colorectal cancer can result in certain types of suffering that really no one wants to go through. The best thing to do, then, is to avoid developing the disease as much as possible by living a healthier life and paying attention to your actions.

And even though in some cases the onset of the disease may be unavoidable, treatments are evolving each and every day, with new research and the help of advances in medicine and technology so that we can fight the disease with more resources and who knows, maybe one day no longer fear it.

See Also: Cancer in Pregnancy – Questions, Risks and Treatment
Photo: James Palinsad