What is Colon Cancer? 

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. Your colon and rectum are part of your digestive system:

• Your colon is the first and longest part of your large intestine. It absorbs water and some nutrients from foods. It also changes the leftover waste products into a stool (poop).
• Your rectum is the lower part of your large intestine. It’s where your body stores stool.

Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these parts may also be called colorectal cancer.

Recent research shows rising incidence rates of colon cancer across all age brackets, though the condition primarily gets detected in people between 65 and 74 years old. The pattern of colon cancer occurs most commonly in Western countries. Still, in India, people get rectal cancer more often, and this disease affects men to a higher degree than women. 

The starting point of colorectal cancer occurs in the mucosa layer of the colon or rectum and spreads across various tissue levels. The severity of tissue penetration by the cancerous cells determines which stage of cancer a person has. Routine screening detection helps improve treatment success rates.

Who is more likely to develop colorectal cancer?

Anyone can get colorectal cancer, but certain factors make you more likely to develop it:

• Being older; your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you age.
• Having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.
• Having a history of adenomas. Adenomas are colorectal polyps (growths) that look abnormal under a microscope or are 1 centimetre or larger. Adenomas are not cancer, but they can sometimes turn into cancer over time.
• Having a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer).
• Having chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease for 8 years or more.
• Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day.
• Smoking cigarettes.
• Having obesity.

What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer? 

Colon cancer remains undetectable during its first stages. People with progressive disease typically encounter different health issues that include: 

• Persistent Changes in Bowel Habits: Pinkish-red or dark black stools signal internal bleeding. Bowel habits may become consistently loose or constipated, leading to a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, known as tenesmus. 

• Blood in Stool: Bright red blood or dark, tarry stools are indicators of internal bleeding. 

• Anaemia: The condition results in reduced red blood cells from internal bleeding, which produces fatigue and dizziness and leads to pale skin appearance. 

• Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without dietary or activity changes. 

• Loss of Appetite: Reduced hunger due to metabolic changes, digestive obstructions, or systemic inflammatory effects. 

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness despite adequate rest. 

• Advanced Stage Symptoms: Abdominal pain, distension, severe constipation (obstipation), and abnormal connections between the colon and other organs (colovaginal or colovesical fistulae). 

According to a study, rectal bleeding (37%), abdominal pain (34%), and anaemia (23%) were the most often occurring symptoms triggering diagnostic colonoscopies.  

What are the Causes of Colon Cancer? 

Colorectal cancer happens when there are changes in your genetic material (DNA). These changes are also called mutations or variants. Often, the genetic changes that lead to colorectal cancer happen during your lifetime and the exact cause is unknown. However certain genetic changes that raise your risk for colorectal cancer are inherited, meaning that you are born with them.

A combination of several risk elements leads to colon cancer formation, including: 

• Genetics: A family history of colorectal cancer or inherited syndromes such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome increases the risk. 

• Lifestyle Factors: A combination of unhealthy eating habits, a sedentary life, smoking, and heavy alcohol use together raise the potential for colon cancer development. 

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause chronic inflammation, increasing susceptibility to colon cancer. 

• Age: Routine screenings become essential for middle-aged people and those older than 50 years since they experience higher risks of developing colon cancer. 

• Environmental Factors: Exposure to toxins alongside environmental pollutants plays a part in developing colorectal cancer. 

• Mutations in DNA: When DNA undergoes mutations, the cells start uncontrollable growth, which forms malignant tumours. 

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer 

• Older Age: Most colorectal cancer diagnoses occur in people fifty and above, although such cancers may emerge in any age period. 

• African-American Descent: Evidence shows that African-American people face an increased probability of developing colorectal cancer. 

• History of Colorectal Cancer or Polyps: People who have experienced colorectal cancer or polyps before have greater chances of getting a recurrence of the disease. 

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: It represents one set of chronic conditions, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 

• Diet Low in Vegetables: Eating small amounts of vegetables increases colon cancer risks because such diets lack fibre. 

• Lack of Physical Activity: Regular physical exercise reduces the chances of developing cancer, thus lowering the risk. 

• Obesity, Smoking, and Alcohol Consumption: Studies reveal that obesity, together with smoking and alcohol consumption, consistently increases the risk for colorectal cancer development. 

• Radiation Therapy for Previous Cancer: Any previous cancer treatment with radiation makes the body more vulnerable to developing colorectal cancer. 

How is Colon Cancer Diagnosed? 

The early discovery of colon cancer leads to better treatment efficiency. Diagnostic methods include: 

• Screening Tests: Regular colonoscopy examinations and faecal occult blood tests (FOBT) identify developing abnormalities before symptoms emerge. 

• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy enables a detailed examination of the colon and biopsy procedures to remove any detected polyps. 

• Imaging Tests: CT scans, alongside MRI and PET scans, provide medical experts with data on disease extent. 

Treatment for Colon Cancer at Chirag Global Hospital 

Doctors at Chirag Global Hospital determine colon cancer treatment based on the stage of the disease. They assess the tumour’s size, depth of invasion into the colon, and whether it has spread to other organs. These treatments primarily include: 

• Surgery: Tumour removal is the base treatment method for early-stage cancer patients. 

• Radiation Therapy: Targeted radiation minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues while destroying cancer cells. 

• Chemotherapy: The medical treatment of chemotherapy functions for both advanced cancers and after surgery to eliminate any leftover cancer cells. 

• Hormonal and Biological Therapy: Treatment approaches in hormonal and biological therapy block cancer expansion signals by applying precision medicine techniques. 

• Local Ablative Therapy: Non-surgical methods such as radiofrequency ablation to destroy cancer cells. 

• Combination Therapy: The treatment approach for some cases involves surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. 

9 Key Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer 

Colon cancer often develops because patients can prevent its occurrence by changing their lifestyle patterns. Different life choices with appropriate habits will effectively decrease your potential for developing colon cancer. 

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity acts as a risk factor for developing colon cancer. Try to achieve a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, which falls under normal parameters. 
• Follow a Fibre-Rich Diet: Your diet should include more food rich in dietary fibre, including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These elements help your digestive system stay healthy and minimise your cancer risk. 
• Limit Red and Processed Meat Consumption: The recommended food choices for preventing colon cancer include eating lean proteins from white poultry or fish and plant protein options. 
• Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Establish a goal of exercising vigorously for 60–75 minutes each week combined with moderate exercise, totalling 120–150 minutes to minimise risk. 
• Quit Alcohol & Smoking: Alcohol & Smoking pose a critical risk for colon cancer development, and quitting these habits decreases the risk significantly. 
• Stay Hydrated and Limit Sugary Drinks: opt for adequate water hydration, which supports digestion, while reducing the consumption of sweet fluids. 
• Get Regular Screenings: Regular screenings such as video rectoscopies, colonoscopies and other tests enable the early detection of potential precancerous situations. 
• Manage Stress Levels: Meditation and yoga allow people to regulate their stress levels, thus securing their digestive system’s health. 

Prevention of Colon Cancer 

• Regular Screenings: Regular screenings through colonoscopy testing and stool examination help in early detection. 

• Healthy Diet: A healthy eating plan consisting of whole-grain foods along with fat-restricted and ample vegetables and fruits helps prevent its occurrence. 

• Physical Activity: Participating in exercise regularly leads to better general health conditions. 

• Avoiding Tobacco and Excessive Alcohol: Eliminating tobacco usage, together with managing excessive alcohol consumption, helps decrease cancer risks. 

• Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Regulation of body weight is one established element that raises the danger of developing colorectal cancer. 

• Quitting Smoking: If you smoke, seek medical assistance to stop. 

Conclusion 

Colon cancer is a serious but preventable disease. People who have colorectal cancer can trust Chirag Global Hospital to provide them with expert medical care and cutting-edge treatment choices. Your effort to include healthy behaviours in regular activities lowers your cancer risk and improves your long-term health. 

Chirag Global Hospital is dedicated to giving colon cancer patients the best treatments possible by combining new ideas, careful planning, and caring support to give patients hope. The immediate medical evaluation of ongoing symptoms will help prevent serious medical outcomes. Active healthcare combined with early diagnosis work together greatly to stop the development of colon cancer.