Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is one of the most common diseases around the world. Despite how prevalent the disease may be, not everyone knows how it is and whether they're at risk of it.
And unbeknownst to most people, colorectal cancer can be extremely dangerous if left untreated. Learn what you can do to prevent this disease, what are the symptoms you should watch out for and how to treat it.
But before we dive deeper into how to prevent and treat the disease, let's first discuss what it is.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Widely known as colon cancer, colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum of a person. This happens when polyps, abnormal growth, occurs in the colon or rectum of the patient and becomes carcinogenic.
Now, most cases of colon cancer happen to patients aged 50 and over. But sometimes, other factors like inflammatory bowel diseases and a family history of colorectal polyps affect the chances of a person getting infected.
Diagnosis
Unfortunately for us, colorectal cancer doesn't cause symptoms until later on. Some patients took years or months before they discovered they have colorectal polyps. This is why a colorectal doctor would suggest regular screening to ensure early diagnosis.
But if you've observed a change in your bowel habits, seen blood on your stool, and are experiencing abdominal pains that don't go away easily, it might be time for you to see a doctor.
While the causes of these symptoms may not be cancer necessarily, the only way for patients to know exactly what's causing it is to see a colorectal doctor.
There are hundreds of clinics in Singapore that you could reach out to. Just do thorough research before picking out your colorectal clinic.
Prevention
There's no guaranteed way of preventing colorectal cancer besides regular test screening beginning at the age of 50. Research has shown that cancerous polyps can be present in the patient's body long before it develops into carcinogenic growths.
And because polyps don't cause any symptoms, the only way of knowing whether a patient has them or they don't is through screening. When polyps are detected, a colorectal doctor may suggest surgery to remove them to lessen the risks of it becoming carcinogenic.
On the other hand of preventative measures, a colorectal doctor may also recommend a change of diet and lifestyle to its patients. Experts suggest that having a diet with low animal fats and whole grains can help reduce the chances of colorectal cancer.
Treatments
Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, various treatments can be suggested by a colorectal doctor. Procedures ranging from noninvasive medication to surgery is possible. But before anything else, a colorectal doctor will have a thorough discussion about the applicable treatments of their patient.
They will set a goal with them and mention all of the possible side effects each option has. Depending on your colorectal doctor, a second opinion may be possible. Doing so helps patients seek the right treatment plan for their needs.
Patients with colorectal cancer need to know all of their available treatment options and the resources they might need. Doing this helps them make informed decisions about their plan. When left untreated, the disease can take the life of a person.
Early detection provides greater chances for cure. Families with a known history of colorectal cancer should be screened earlier so that the right treatment can be administered immediately.
Despite how daunting the disease may seem like, early detection is the key to beating colorectal cancer. Patients who need help figuring whether they have it or not should see a colorectal doctor immediately.
Determining Extent
In certain cases, a patient's colorectal doctor may recommend them to undergo several other tests to determine the extent of their colorectal cancer.
Staging tests may include imaging procedures like pelvic and chest CT scans. But generally speaking, the stage of a patient's colorectal cancer will not be fully determined until they are done with their surgery.
Key Takeaways
Diseases like colorectal cancer can scare families. But this doesn't mean that they shouldn't seek out preventative measures and treatments.
Thanks to modern technology and scientific advancements, there are now several ways for the disease to be diagnosed, treated and even prevented. As we've mentioned earlier, patients hitting the age of 50 should start screening procedures to make sure that they don't have any polyps in their body.
Those with a family history of polyps or colorectal cancer should be wary of their diet and their lifestyles. Early screening is also crucial for patients at high risk to ensure that things don't go for the worse.
Luckily, several clinics in Singapore have an in-house colorectal doctor like DR QM Leong. Their team of physicians and their colorectal doctor will help patients find the right treatment for their condition.
Learn more about the disease by visiting Dr QM Leong's website, a well-known colorectal clinic in Singapore. Dr QM Leong also offers piles treatment to Singaporeans.
