Colorectal Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention | Health Plus, Health News

Why is colorectal screening important?

Colorectal cancer, the most common cancer in Singapore, is also one of the most preventable. Yet not enough people are screened for early detection at the precancerous stage.

What causes colorectal cancer?

The exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, but many factors increase the risk of colorectal cancer, such as age, smoking, lack of exercise, stress, family history and illnesses such as diabetes, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Can we prevent colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer begins with small, benign growths called polyps. A polyp grows slowly from a few millimeters to about 2 cm in diameter before turning into colorectal cancer. The only proven way to prevent colorectal cancer is to detect these polyps early and eliminate them before it's too late.

How often should I have a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a simple procedure that allows doctors to visually examine the lining of the intestine, detect pre-cancerous polyps and eliminate them. Doctors recommend colonoscopic screening in people over 50 years of age. Early colorectal cancer may not have symptoms and is therefore difficult to detect without regular screening.

Therefore, anyone with symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as rectal bleeding and a change in bowel habits, should consult a doctor, regardless of age. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should start colonoscopy earlier and do it more frequently. If the screening result is normal, you should have one every 5 to 10 years afterwards. However, if you have precancerous polyps in your colon, you need regular colonoscopies whose frequency is determined by the number and size of the polyps. Your doctor should be able to advise you on this.

Early detection of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is preventable because it is in the form of polyps and takes years to become cancerous, if at all. If found early, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. Colonoscopy is a safe procedure with a low incidence of complications and is recommended every 10 years, starting at age 50. With recent advances in colonoscopy, even polyps larger than 2 cm in diameter can safely be removed by colonoscopy. .

Many lives can be saved by understanding the risks of colorectal cancer, increasing screening rates and changing lifestyle. Consult your doctor to assess your ability to colonoscopy if you have symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, increased constipation, unexplained weight loss, and sudden changes in your bowel habits.

The only proven way to prevent colorectal cancer is the early detection and elimination of colon polyps before it becomes cancerous.

Infographic reviewed by Dr. Ng Kheng Hong, General Surgeon and Colorectal at Gleneagles Hospital

Reference

Colorectal cancer: 9 factors that increase your risk. Retrieved October 5, 2018 from https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/guide/risk-factors-colorectal-cancer

Khalik, S. (2016). The number of colorectal cancers is far too high, say the experts. Retrieved October 13, 2018 at https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/colorectal-cancer-numbers-far-too-high-say-experts

Simon, S. (2018). Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. Retrieved 13 October 2018 from https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/signs-and-symptoms-of-colon-cancer.html

2015 Annual Report of the Singapore Cancer Registry, extract from the register.

Mendes, E. (2014). Diabetes and colon cancer: an emerging link. Retrieved 13 October 2018 from https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/diabetes-and-colon-cancer-an-emerging-link.html

Cancer of the intestine. Retrieved October 13, 2018 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/

Colonoscopy: Ask the Expert _ Anything you want to know but are afraid to ask. Retrieved 13 October 2018 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/1203_colonoscopy-ask-the-expert-everything-you-want-tknow-but-are-afraid-to-ask

Colonoscopy. Retrieved October 13, 2018 from https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/colonoscopy- what-you-need-to-know # 1

POST news

Purchase this article for republication.