What is colorectal cancer? This is a cancer that is malignant. Typically, this severe illness affecting the gastrointestinal tract affects the populations of industrialized countries. Until recently, the only rare exception to this rule was Japan.
But now colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting even the inhabitants of this country. Scientists suggest that by the end of this century, this disease will become common for the Land of the Rising Sun. There is a point of view that colorectal cancer often develops in people who eat protein foods more than fiber.
The disease can form in any part of the colon. The rectum and colon are usually affected. Sometimes colorectal cancer is diagnosed in the sigmoid colon.
Quite often, the cecum is affected by this ailment . The majority of cases are older people, although in rare cases young people are also affected by colorectal cancer. This oncological disease affects both women and men equally.
At an early stage, this ailment, like most other oncological diseases, does not cause any symptoms. However, sometimes precursors appear, which you should definitely pay attention to. In particular, symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:
• deformation of the chair (it becomes a “pencil” or takes a “crimped” shape);
• dark blood in the stool;
• fatigue and lack of appetite ;
• weight loss;
• diarrhea or constipation.
In the later stages of the disease, patients report pelvic pain.
You should definitely consult a doctor if you notice a change in your stool or blood. Especially if there is bleeding from the rectum . Perhaps such symptoms are observed due to hemorrhoids, but it is better if the doctor makes such a conclusion, based on the results of the tests. The doctor may prescribe a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy for you - rectal examinations with the introduction of a flexible tube into the intestine.
Colorectal cancer: symptoms
Another important signal that you need to see a doctor is persistent abdominal pain, especially if there is an unexplained weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of diseases, but can also indicate cancer.
If you have anemia, your doctor should rule out a possible cause such as bleeding due to cancer.
And remember, the sooner colorectal cancer is detected, the more successful the treatment will be. There are many different types of diagnostic tests to detect this disease.
First of all, doctors strongly recommend taking a fecal occult blood test every year. Her presence may indicate the presence of colon cancer in the initial stage. Colonoscopy is the most informative instrumental way to detect this disease.