What You should Know about the Colorectal Cancer? Debunking the 4 Myths About Colon Cancer.

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and accounts for 8% of all cancer deaths worldwide. As the risk of colorectal cancer increases with increasing age, the people must get regular screening tests done.

Today, we will be delivering you some information about Colorectal (Colon) Cancer. We will also break the five myths as they can stop you from getting your diagnosis done.

Lets’ started with knowing something about Colorectal Cancer.

 Define Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Colon and rectum make up the large intestine (Large Bowel), which is a part of digestive system. Cancer can occur due to genetic mutations, either inherited or acquired. These mutations do not guarantee that you will develop colorectal cancer, but they do increase your chances. Some mutations may cause abnormal cells to accumulate in the lining of the colon, forming polyps. These are small, benign growths.

How does Colorectal Cancer Starts? What are the stages of Colorectal Cancer?

Most colorectal cancers start growing on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called Polyps and can change into cancer over time, but not polyps become cancer. It depends on the type of polyp it is. Other factors that can make a polyp more likely to contain cancer. There are three different types of Polyps:

• Adenomatous Polyps (adenomas): These Polyps sometimes can change into cancer as adenomas are called a pre-cancerous condition.
• Hyperplastic Polyps and Inflammatory Polyps: These Polyps are common and are not pre-cancerous. Some people with large (more than 1cm) hyperplastic polyps might need colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy more often.
• Sessile Serrated Polyps (SSP) and Traditional Serrated Adenomas (TSA):  These Polyps are treated as a risk of colorectal cancer.

Stages of Colorectal Cancer

Your doctor may use staging as a guideline to figure out the situation of your cancer is. It is crucial for you as well as your doctor to know the stage so that necessary treatment plan can designed for you and give you an estimate of your long-term outlook.

Stage 0 – This stage is also known as carcinoma in situ and abnormal cells begin to develop in the inner lining of colon or rectum

Stage 1– In this stage, the cancer has penetrated the lining, or mucosa, of the colon or rectum and may have grown into the muscle layer.

Stage 2– In this stage, the cancer has spread to the walls of the colon or rectum or through the walls to nearby tissues but hasn’t affected the lymph nodes.

Stage 3– The cancer has moved to the lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body.

Stage 4 – The cancer has spread to other distant organs, such as the liver or lungs.

Types of Cancer in Colon and Rectum

While colorectal cancer is self-explanatory but is has different types. These different types of colon cancer deal with the types of cells that turn cancerous as well as where they form. The most common type of colorectal cancer starts from adenocarcinomas as they form within the cells that make the mucus in either the colon or rectum.

Other types of Colon Cancers are:

• Lymphomas: These are the cancers of the immune system. They mostly start in lymph nodes, but they can also start in the colon, rectum.
• Carcinoid Tumors: These tumours start from special hormone-making cells in the intestine.
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: These tumors start from special cells in the wall of the colon. Some are benign. These tumors can be founded anywhere in the digestive tract, but are not common in the colon.
•  Sarcomas: These start inblood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum. Sarcomas of the colon or rectum are rare.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer may not show any symptom in the early stages. Here are the symptoms one may show during the early stages:

• Constipation, Diarrhoea, Change in Stool Colour
• Narrowed Stool, Blood in Stool, Bleeding from the rectum
• Abdominal Pain and Cramps, Excessive Fatigue and Weakness
• Vomiting, Jaundice, Blurry Vision, Bone Fractures, Breathing difficulties

Now, that we have discovered little about the Colorectal Cancer, there are some precautions that you need to take which can help reduce overall risk. If detected early, most people live at least 5 years after the diagnosis. With the help of early diagnosis, it can be treated early through various treatments options like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other targeted medications.

Now, let’s break the myths that surround Colon Cancer.

Debunking the 4 Myths about Colorectal Cancer

Myth #1: Colorectal Cancer is a man’s disease.

Fact: Colorectal Cancer is the third most common cancer in the world among women as men. Although it is slightly more common in men, 1 in every 24 women will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer at some point in her life.

Myth #2: Colorectal cancer cannot be prevented.

Fact: In many cases,  it can be prevented by following some of the preventive measures, treatment plans laid out be the doctor. There are certain daily-life measures which you can take to lower your risk of colorectal cancer.

Myth #3: Age does not matter when it comes to getting colorectal cancer.

Fact: Most colorectal cancers are found in people age 50 and older. It is advisable that people should start getting themselves diagnosed when you are 50. People who are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer, such as those who have colon or rectal cancer in their families.

Myth #4: Colonoscopies are difficult and have side effects.

Fact: Colonoscopies are the most accurate way to screen for the disease, but there are other lifesaving tests that can detect cancer or cancerous polyps. You are most like in the hospital for 2 hours and they inject you with anaesthesia. After some time, your condition will turns back to normal.

Remember to talk to your doctor about your family history of cancer and discuss which colorectal cancer screening option is right for you. Get in touch with of best pharmaceutical consultants at Indian Pharma Network as we will assist you with the best advice and any medication that you need from any part of the globe.

Visit: https://indianpharmanetwork.co.in/

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Call Mr Neeraj Nagpal on 9811747774

References:

• https://www.mygnp.com/blog/colorectal-cancer-myths/
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html#:~:text=Colorectal%20cancer%20starts%20in%20the,to%20grow%20out%20of%20control.
• https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170228/submitted/170228877/
• https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/ss/slideshow-colorectal-cancer-overview