Rakesh Sharma has finally returned to work after three traumatic years. Having been diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), he has undergone four surgeries and numerous chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions. Despite the diagnosis coming at an advanced stage, Sharma was lucky to get back to normal life.
CRC is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women worldwide. Fortunately, the rates in India are much lower than in Western countries. This is largely predominantly due to the dietary differences. Constant use of red meat, low fibre diet and fast foods are among the leading causes of CRC.
What happens?
A malignant tumour develops on the inner wall of the large intestine, mostly from polyps. Polyps are the benign tumours (not dangerous to health) of large intestine and can be removed during colonoscopy.
But if not removed, polyps can turn malignant over time. Colon polyps and early cancer present no specific symptoms initially. However, some symptoms should act as a warning to see the doctor.
Diagnosis can be done by sigmoidoscopy (visual examination of the lower third of the colon). If only the outer layer of bowel wall is affected, surgery remains the best treatment.
This involves removal of tumour, a small fringe of the healthy large intestine and adjacent lymph nodes. If the cancer is in an advanced stage and has invaded adjacent tissues and organs, then the chances of five-year survival are less than 10 per cent even after treatment.
Modify lifestyle
As with most other cancers, behavioural and dietary factors are the main causes apart from heredity. In the case of CRCs, about six per cent are caused by mutated genes while lifestyle and dietary factors are responsible for over two-thirds of the cases. Thus, working on the modifiable risk factors helps reduce the incidence of CRCs to a great extent.
The rate of CRC in India has risen during the last three decades probably because of changing lifestyle and dietary habits. Since colon polyps and early cancer have no symptoms, regular screening is important especially in people with a family history.
Delayed diagnosis is leading to many cases presenting in advanced stages. Although surgery is the mainstay of treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy play a vital role particularly in advanced cases.
New modalities in diagnosis and treatment have brought a significant improvement in survival rates.
Symptoms
Change in bowel habits
Dark red blood in stools
Recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, fever and chills with profuse diarrhoea
Fatigue due to loss of blood and anaemia
Chronic weight loss, cramps and bloating
Severe constipation and pain while passing stools
Do...
Maintain ideal body weight and body mass index (BMI)
Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Avoid refined foods rich in calorie and fat
Don’t...
Eat excess red meat and processed meat
Eat foods rich in calories and poor in nutrients
Follow sedentary lifestyle
Use tobacco and drink excessively
Binge on processed and fat rich foods
