- Medical Weight LossChanging bowel habits is another feature associated with colorectal cancer generally. Meanwhile, cancers on the right can become larger without causing these obstructive symptoms. As stools are looser and the diameter larger. These patients are more likely to bleed chronically and develop iron deficiency anemia and present with paler fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and tachycardia. The symptoms from the sigmoid and rectal cancers tend to be noticed and investigated sooner. Also remember constitutional symptoms like unexplained fever, night sweats or unintentional weight loss.
- Smoking CessationDid you know that controlling your weight is one of the most important ways to reduce your risk of cancer or cancer recurrence? And it is second only to smoking cessation.
- ColonoscopyScreening is normally done via fecal immunochemical testing, known as a FIT test ( https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000704.htm ), which includes fecal occult blood, looking for traces of blood in the stool, which may indicate cancer. This is done every two years from the age of 60 in the United Kingdom, and if positive, the patient will undergo a colonoscopy, a physical exam is done, including an abdominal and rectal examination.
- Flu ShotsAnti-cancer vaccines are drugs that work on the principle of flu shots – to induce a rapid immune system response, the patient is injected with substances that are produced by cancer cells. The most common human papillomavirus vaccines can prevent the development of rectal cancer, cervical, throat, vulva, vaginal and penile malignancies.
- ImmunizationsAvoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption are crucial preventive measures, as tobacco use is linked to a multitude of cancers, including lung, throat, and bladder cancer. Vaccinations against viruses such as HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis B can prevent infections that increase cancer risk.
- Bladder Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Colon CancerColorectal cancer is more common in males than in females. Being overweight, being less active, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are all also risk factors. Diets rich in processed and red meat or low in fiber and a history of adding a Mattis polyps ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34622875/ ) or inflammatory bowel disease increased the risk of colon cancer to most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, do not have a family history of it. But having a relative who is affected does mean an increased risk. This is why screening takes place earlier at around 45 years of age or 10 years before the age which the family member was diagnosed.
- Prostate CancerHormone therapy is used primarily for cancers that are driven by hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. This treatment works by blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones or by interfering with how hormones behave in the body. By reducing the levels of hormones, hormone therapy can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Cancer CareCancer is a global health issue with significant disparities in access to care and outcomes. While high-income countries benefit from advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options, low- and middle-income countries often face challenges such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of access to early screening and modern therapies. Efforts to address these disparities include international collaborations, investment in healthcare infrastructure, and the development of affordable treatment options. Global health initiatives aim to improve cancer care through awareness campaigns, training programs for healthcare professionals, and the implementation of cost-effective screening and treatment strategies. Ensuring equitable access to cancer care and resources is essential to reducing the global burden of cancer and improving survival rates worldwide.
- Lung CancerColorectal cancer is currently the third most common cancer worldwide, and causes the second highest number of cancer related deaths behind lung cancer. It has a lifetime risk of around 1 in 15 and risk factors include older age, as over 90% are diagnosed over the age of 50, and 60% over the age of 70. However, there is a rising incidence in younger patients and the reason is not currently known.
- Depression
- Mental HealthCancer does not only affect patients physically but also exerts a profound psychological and social impact. The diagnosis and treatment process can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. Patients often face uncertainty about their prognosis, changes in body image, and disruptions in daily life. The support of mental health professionals, social workers, and cancer support groups can be crucial in helping individuals cope with these challenges. Providing psychological care alongside medical treatment helps improve overall well-being and quality of life. Additionally, support for families and caregivers is essential, as they also experience emotional and practical difficulties while supporting their loved ones through cancer treatment.
- Anxiety
- Ultrasound
- Computed TomographyHowever, the gold standard for diagnosis is colonoscopy and biopsy. This involves looking all the way up to the cecum To ensure full visualization, lab markers are used, such as a full blood count looking for anemia, cancer markers, in particular carcinoembryonic antigen, but CA 19-9 can also be monitored. A CT scan is used to look for metastasis and as part of staging. The most common system used is the TNM staging, which looks at where the primary tumor is infiltrating locally, lymph node metastasis, and the presence of distant metastasis.
- ChemotherapyChemoembolization is the injection of chemo drugs into a tumor, followed by blockage of the vessels that feed it. This technique allows substances that destroy cancer cells to be delivered directly to the tumor. Because of this, chemotherapy acts in a more targeted and effective way without disrupting the body as a whole. Due to the blockage of blood vessels, blood and nutrients stop flowing to the tumor, so it does not grow and eventually dies out.
- Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. This treatment targets specific areas of the body, making it effective for localized cancers. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from growing and dividing. While it can also affect healthy cells, advancements in technology have made radiation therapy more precise, reducing side effects.
- Skin CancerCytokines are protein molecules that stimulate the activity of the immune system and blood cells to fight cancer. They are prescribed for kidney tumors, metastatic melanoma, and, in some cases, to ease the side effects of chemotherapy.
- LesionsIn nearly all cases, the colorectal cancer develops from polyps. The most common are hyperplastic inflammatory and adenomatous polyps. Hyperplastic and inflammatory types, however, do not have a risk of malignant transformation. While adding a Mattis polyps do superficial gastrointestinal lesions like polyps are divided by the Paris classification into polypoid and non polypoid, meaning raised flat, depressed or ulcerated. The closer the polyp gets to ulcerated, the higher the risk that there is deeper infiltration, and potential lymph node involvement.