Colorectal cancer ranks third in the most common cancers in the world, 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 develops 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.
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.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality. 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.
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.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is usually unnoticed in its early stages of growth. The following symptoms may indicate cancer colorectal.
* Changes in fecal habits alternating between constipation and diarrhea.
* Blood in the stool.
* A permanent discomfort in the stomach: cramps, gas or pain.
* The feeling that the bowel does not empty completely or having constant desire to defecate.
* A large fatigue.
* An unexplained weight loss.
Note. The presence of blood in the stool may be another explanation, such as hemorrhoids or anal fissure. In addition, some foods can color the stool. This is the case of beets and red licorice.
People at risk
* Age. The disease mainly affects people over 50 years (90% of cases).
* Personal or family history. The risk increases when they have already suffered from colorectal cancer or polyps or a family member has suffered. This predisposition is not always hereditary origin. It may be the result of exposure to a carcinogen in the environment or eating habits or lifestyle. Some genetic diseases of the colon increase the risk of colon cancer. The two most common forms are hereditary colorectal cancer without polyposis (or Lynch syndrome) accounts for approximately 5% of cases of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyposis family, involved in about 1% of cases. The latter is manifested by the appearance of a large number of polyps, as a teenager.
* Sex. Men are slightly more at risk than women.
* Inflammatory bowel disease. Being affected by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis increases the risk.
* Diabetes. In epidemiological studies, it was found that colorectal cancer is more common among individuals with diabetes than among those not reached.