According to recent statistics, about 149,500 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. The National Cancer Institute (NIH) states that colorectal cancers are among the five most common cancers in the country. This type of cancer affects either the colon, the rectum, or both. Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors form in the large intestine, the colon, and/or the rectum.
If you would like to know more, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions about colorectal cancer.
1. What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
One of the first symptoms of colorectal cancer is a change in bowel habits. This could either be diarrhea or constipation. A person might also feel like they need to have a bowel movement but they do not feel relieved after they have one.
Other symptoms of a colorectal cancer include:
Anyone who has these kinds of symptoms should tell their doctor right away. In order to make a proper diagnosis, the doctor will most likely recommend a colorectal cancer screening.
2. What Risk Factors Are Associated with Colorectal Cancer?
As with most types of cancers, there are certain risk factors that can increase one's chance of getting colorectal cancer. Some of these risk factors, such as age and having a family history of colorectal cancer, cannot be avoided. Another risk factor of colorectal cancer that can't really be helped is having an inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis.
However, there are many other risk factors that people can control in order to decrease their chances of colorectal cancer. These risk factors include being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes, and eating a poor diet.
3. How Is Colorectal Cancer Treated?
The earlier colorectal cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. In fact, when treated in its earliest stages, colorectal cancer can be cured. For those with more advanced stages of colorectal cancer, treatment often depends upon a number of factors. These factors include whether or not the patient has any other medical conditions, what types of medications they take, and the types of side effects the treatment will produce.
One of the most common treatment options is to surgically remove the tumor from the large intestine. If necessary, parts of the rectum, colon, and nearby lymph nodes will also need to be removed. Other treatment options for colorectal cancer include radiation therapy and intravenous medications, such as chemotherapy.
Share7 June 2021
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
