• Overconsumption of animal protein, saturated fats, and calories
• Low dietary fibre intake
• Overconsumption of alcohol
• Excessive smoking
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. It can metastasize and spread to other body parts. Colorectal cancer is dangerous and can be life-threatening. But death rate from colorectal cancer has dropped in the recent years, thanks to advance screening techniques and better colorectal treatment options.

What is colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer is also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer begins as an abnormal growth of cells in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. This abnormal growth is called a polyp.

Some types of polyps can change into cancer over the course of several years. But it does not mean that all polyps have the tendency to become cancerous. The chance of changing a polyp into colorectal cancer depends on the type of polyp that grows. 

Colorectal cancer can affect men and women equally. However, studies have proven that men might develop it at a younger age.

What causes colon cancer?

There is no definite cause of colorectal cancer, but old age and certain lifestyle factors can increase colorectal cancer risk. Some of these colorectal cancer risk factors include the following:

Types of Colorectal Cancer

A majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinoma. If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, there are 95 percent chances that it is an adenocarcinoma. But there are some other types of colorectal cancer such as carcinoid, gastrointestinal stromal, lymphomas, and sarcomas.

Colorectal Cancer Symptoms

There are no early signs of colorectal cancer, but once it grows, the patients may experience the following colon cancer symptoms:

• Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath
• Change in bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation
• Blood in stool
• Abdominal discomforts such as cramps, bolting or pain
• Dramatic weight loss

After the determination of the stage, the doctor chooses the best suitable treatment options for the patient. The treatment plan prepared is specific to every patient and is best suited to meet the individual needs. The treatment plan may include the following options.

Surgery

Different types of surgery options can be used as per the identified stage of colorectal cancer. Surgery can be divided into two major segments: Early stage colorectal cancer surgery and advanced stage colorectal cancer surgery.

Early stage colorectal cancer surgery: This is a minimally-invasive form of surgery, which is typically recommended when the cancer is small and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Early stage colorectal cancer surgery includes the following procedures:

• Removing polyps during colonoscopy: If the cancer is small and in its early stage, your doctor may be able to remove it completely during a colonoscopy.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection: In this procedure, a larger polyp can be removed by taking out a small amount of the lining of the colon.
• Minimally-invasive surgery: It is also called laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon operates the polyps by making several small incisions in your abdominal wall. Instruments with attached cameras are inserted that display your colon on a video monitor.

Advance stage colorectal cancer surgery

This is a more invasive surgical option, recommended when cancer has grown into or through your colon. It can be of the following types:

• Partial colectomy: During this procedure, the surgeon removes the part of the colon that contains cancer. Normal tissue may also be removed along with a margin cancer. The healthy portions of the colon or rectum are reconnected after the removal of cancer.
• Surgery to create a way for waste to leave your body: You may need a permanent or temporary colostomy when it is not possible to reconnect the healthy portions of your colon or rectum.
• Lymph node removal: Usually, nearby lymph nodes are also removed during colon cancer surgery to remove cancer or to prevent cancer recurrence.

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy treatment, an anti-cancer drug is used to destroy the cancerous cells. It is commonly used before surgery, in an attempt to shrink a tumor before its surgical removal. It can also be given to relieve symptoms of colon cancer, in case it has spread to other parts of the body.

A certain number of chemotherapy cycles are also repeated after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. This helps minimize the chances of cancer recurrence.

Radiation therapy

In this treatment, radiation beams such as X-ray or proton beam are used to kill cancer cells. It also prevents cancer cells from multiplying any further. This treatment is more commonly used for rectal cancer treatment before surgery to shrink the tumor. It can also be used after the surgery. Radiation therapy is the best treatment if cancer has penetrated through the wall of the rectum or traveled to nearby lymph nodes. 

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug therapy is typically used for people with advanced colon cancer. It can be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Specific drugs help cancer cells commit suicide and strengthen the immune system. However, this treatment comes with limited benefits and risk of side effects.

• Patients undergoing the surgery are required to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days after the surgery. You may expect yourself to be discharged from the hospital after regaining bowel function and the ability to eat without the support of IV. Pain is controlled with the help of medications and it may take another two to three weeks at home before you can switch back to your normal routine.
• Patients undergoing surgery are required to stay in the hospital for at least two to three days after the surgery. You may expect yourself to be discharged from the hospital after regaining bowel function and the ability to eat without the support of an intravenous line. Pain is controlled with the help of medications and it may take another two to three weeks at home before you can switch back to your normal routine.
• If you’ve had a surgery for the removal of bowel cancer, it may take a few weeks before you can return back to work. In the case of laparoscopic surgery, you can return to work in about two weeks’ time. In the case of open surgery, it may take around four to six weeks for you to return to work.
• You must pay particular attention to eating the right food and to avoid dehydration after bowel cancer surgery. Include high protein foods in your diet and choose low-fiber foods if you have diarrhea. Additionally, eat limited amounts of green vegetables and only eat peeled fruits.
• Patients who undergo chemotherapy before or after the surgery may experience a few side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pint pain. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to minimize the side effects and recover quickly. Take emergency medications prescribed by the doctor, if needed.