Colon Health Is An Embarrassing Topic

Medical experts still do not know what causes colorectal cancer.

Many cases of colorectal cancer have no symptoms at all, even in its advanced stages.

However, many risk factors have been established such as.

1. Age

2. Genetic

3. Food

Age

Age is the main risk factor.

Colorectal cancer risk increases after the age of 50.

The following are symptoms of cancer:

* Change in bowel habits

* Rectal bleeding

* Abdominal distension and discomfort

* Difficulty or pain during defaecation

* Anaemia or unexplained weight loss

Genetic

If any member of your family has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 45 years, you are considered at higher risk.

However, that does not mean that most colorectal cancers are hereditary in nature because less than 10 per cent of colorectal cancers are due to inherited gene defects according to Dr Choo Su Pin, Senior Consultant at the Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Centre Singapore.

Genetic factors include,

* A history of familial adenomatous polyposis

* Ulcerative colitis, a disease which tends to run in
  families

* Two or three immediate relatives diagnosed with
  colorectal cancer at any age

Food (Red meat)

There is convincing evidence that red meat contributes to colorectal cancer risk.

The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating a maximum of 500g of cooked red meat per week.

You can actually do something to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.

The easiest and most effective way to lower your risk of colorectal cancer is lifestyle changes:

1. Eat less fat and red meat.

2. Eat more vegetables, fruits and fibre.

   Fibre helps to speed up the passage of food and to
   dilute the carcinogens in your colon.

   Take 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits
   daily.

3. Exercise regularly.

    Just one hour of walking a week can reduce your
    colon cancer risk by up to a third.

4. Quit smoking.

   Tobacco has been shown to increase polyp
   formation.

   Polyps are like bumps on the surface of the colon
   which can grow to be cancerous.

5. Cut down on alcohol, especially distilled spirits.

   Having more than nine drinks a week of distilled
   spirits on a regular basis for 10 years can
   increase your risk of developing colon cancer
   by more than 300 per cent.

6. Control your diabetes.

    Diabetics are 40 per cent more likely to develop
    colon cancer than non-diabetics.

7. Supplement.

   Consider taking calcium supplement.

   According to the World Cancer Research Fund,
   calcium may have a protective effect against
   colorectal cancer.

   The evidence is derived from studies using
   calcium supplements at a dose of 1200 mg/day.

Colon Cancer Screening Procedures

Bowel function is considered to be an embarrassing topic.

Even if you suspect something is wrong, you may be embarrassed to bring up the topic during a medical visit to your doctor.

Another reason why you might not want to undergo a colon cancer screening is the method used.

Colonoscopy

You have heard about colonoscopy that involves the insertion of a fibre-optic flexible tube up the rectum.

Colonoscopies procedures are not painful but can be uncomfortable.

Doctors will make sure you are comfortable during your colonoscopy.

Mild sedatives with amnesic effect are used to relief discomfort.

Colonoscopy is a standard procedure for colon cancer screening as it is able to detect pre-cancerous lesions (such as polyps) as well as cancerous ones.

The advantage is that any lesion can be biopsied and polyps can be removed during colonoscopies procedures.

Non-invasive screening

There is a non-invasive screening option.

An alternative screening method for colon cancer known as faecal occult blood test or FOBT Faecal occult blood test detects blood in your stool that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

A positive test result from FOBT still needs colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer.

Faecal occult blood test requires you to collect stool samples on three consecutive days.

These samples can be evaluated at home by detecting colour changes on a test card or can be sent to the lab for analysis.

You should not eat foods such as cauliflower or broccoli 2 to 3 days or 48 to 72 hours before the test as these foods can interfere with the results.

Final advice

From the age of 50, you should go for colon cancer screening with or without symptoms.

Do not dismiss any colon cancer symptoms such as simple changes in your bowel habits, especially if they have been present for more than 6 weeks.

Do not feel embarrass to discuss any symptom with your doctor.

You can consider a non-invasive screening method.

Posted by: Mo Salle

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