Colorectal cancer: what is it?
Colorectal cancer ranks third in the most common cancers , especially among men than among women. A man of 14 and 16 women are likely to have colorectal cancer in their lifetime.As its name suggests, this type of cancer evelops in the colon or rectum, the last part of the large intestine.
Colorectal cancer is much more common in industrialized countries. Lifestyle, especially diet, play a role in its onset. This explains, for example, that the Japanese, little affected by colorectal cancer in Japan, becoming as much as their fellow Americans a few years after having emigrated to the United States and adopted their diet.
Some people can contract due to a hereditary predisposition. But in 75% of cases, no such predisposition is present.
Evolution
Colorectal cancer takes several years to form, as the majority of cancers. He usually does from polyps in the lining of the large intestine. The polyps are small fleshy growths.
There are several kinds. Most often they are mild. However, we know that some may become cancerous. It takes on average 10 years for a polyp to form a cancerous tumor.
Polyps (cancer or not) sometimes cause digestive discomfort. Once the doctor finds a patient, it conducts tests to see if they pose a risk to her health.
At an advanced stage of development, colorectal cancer can spread to the lymph nodes, and then to the liver and then to other parts of the body by forming metastases.
Health professionals wishing that more people undergo screening tests on a regular basis, at the age of 50 years or 40 years for those at risk. More cancer is detected early, and it is possible to do so before the arrival of symptoms, the better the chances of recovery.
When the symptoms of colorectal cancer occur, the disease is often at an advanced stage of development and therefore more difficult to treat.
Currently, more than half of cases are diagnosed in people aged 70 years or plus When to.If blood in the stool or diarrhea or constipation persists, it is important to consult a doctor. For people at risk, it is advised to undergo an HIV test. Discuss with your doctor.