Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the cancer which affects the colon and rectum so they are also commonly known as cancer of colon or cancer of bowel or just rectal cancer. Colon cancer as like any other cancer is due to uncontrolled proliferation of the colon cells which are lining the walls of the digestive system. Polyps are the beginning form of the colon cancer. This form is known as benign tumour where the cancer is limited to the local area, if the cancer starts spreading to other area, and then it is known as malignant cancer.
Epidemiology – The colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer affecting the general population. Both the genders are affected equally. The people above the age of 40 years are at a higher risk of having colon cancer.
Causes of the cancer
The causes of the cancer is still largely unknown, though many factors have been implicated in the cause of the cancer , the individual effect of the factor still needs to be explored. The most common implication for the development of the colon cancer seems to be the presence of adenoma, which are nothing but benign lumps. Age is another irreversible factor; people above aged 40 years have an increased risk though the average age of diagnosis of the cancer is around 60 years. Genetics is another implicated factor, which has been linked to the development of the colon rectal cancer. People with family histories of bowel cancer have an estimated higher risk of developing cancer in the last segment of the digestive system than the normal population. Recent researches have suggested that diet is also an important factor; this is especially true if the diet is rich in animal protein and fats. A diet with low fibre is also responsible for developing irregular bowel habits which can lead to colon cancer. Lifestyle is also a changeable risk, smoking, excess alcohol consumption; less exercise also are additive causes of colon cancer. Previous medical conditions which might lead to development of colon rectal cancer are crohn disease and IBD-Inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms of cancer -Symptoms are more or less similar to the various diseases affecting the gut. The important ones includes, pain and discomfort in the abdominal area mainly due to cancer mass obstructing the bowel movement. Loss of weight, blood present in the faeces, mucus in stool and most important change in the bowel movements. Once the cancer turns malignant the symptoms might be of the body system which the cells might affect.
Diagnosis The diagnosis of the colon cancer is very easy. A GP examination usually will give the extra mass present in the last digestive system. A rectal examination might show blood stained stools. Screening however plays the most important part NHS bowel screening examination. Bowel cancer screening according to NHS guidelines involves screening program to all people who are 60-69 years of age, if the individual is above 70 they can request a cancer screening test. The test can be carried out at home as the kit is provided at home. Faecal occult blood is an important way to check for rectal cancer.