What should we know about colorectal cancer

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

COLORECTAL CANCER ?

By: dr. Ni Putu Ekawati, MRepro, SpPA

Anatomy Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a malignant disease that comes from the large intestine, both colon, and rectum. Ten years ago, this disease was not counted as the top ten most diseases in Indonesia. But now colorectal cancer has become the second most cancer in men and third in women. Based on the 2012 GLOBOCAN survey, the incidence of colorectal cancer around the world ranks the third-highest and ranks fourth as the cause of death in the world.

What causes colorectal cancer?

Like other cancers, this disease is not caused by one thing. In addition to genetic factors, many factors are risk factors for the emergence of colorectal cancer. These factors exist which can be modified and cannot be modified. and include: eating too much red meat and less fiber, lack of activity, obesity (obesity), and smoking and alcohol consumption.

In relation to diet, today's westernized lifestyle contributes greatly to the increased incidence of colorectal cancer. There are still many people who value western foods (meat, milk, cheese) that are rich in fat, but lacking in fiber, more healthy, and prestigious. Methods of processing that tend to be unhealthy, by overheating, adding salt, flavoring, and even artificial coloring and preservatives, are also other factors that play a role. People are becoming increasingly away from traditional foods that contain more vegetables, fruits, herbs, and vegetable protein ingredients, which incidentally are healthier for the intestines and the human body.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Similar to other cancers in general. Colorectal cancer will not give symptoms at an early stage. Colorectal cancer can only cause symptoms if it causes damage in the place to grow and its surroundings. Some of the symptoms that lead to colorectal cancer include: changes in bowel patterns, can be in the form of frequent constipation/constipation, frequent diarrhea, and even bowel movements mixed with blood. These symptoms last for a long time and are followed by weight loss, decreased appetite, and weakness that gets worse and worse as the tumor mass expands.

Can colorectal cancer be detected early?

Colorectal cancer is cancer that can be detected early. If early detection is done well, then the handling of cases will be easier and mortality rates can be reduced. For this reason, a correct understanding of the symptoms and various risk factors for colorectal cancer is needed

Early detection of colorectal cancer can be done in several ways, namely: FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test), flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema, and CT colonography. Early detection is aimed at community groups with moderate and high risk. Those who are classified as at moderate risk are: individuals aged 50 years and over, even though they have no history of colorectal cancer in their doctors or their families. High-risk groups are those who have a history of adenomatous polyps, individuals with a history of curative resection of colorectal cancer individuals with a family history of first-degree colorectal cancer or colorectal adenomas (recommendations differing based on family age at diagnosis), individuals with a long history of inflammatory bowel disease and individuals with diagnosis or suspicion of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome or Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

How to prevent colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer prevention can be done starting from primary health care facilities through the IEC program in the population/community by avoiding modifiable colorectal cancer risk factors and by screening or early detection in the population, especially in high-risk groups.

Prevention efforts at the individual level are carried out by improving eating patterns, by consuming more foods that contain fiber and vegetable protein, reducing consumption of unhealthy fats, drinking lots of water, do many activities, managing stress well, and exercising regularly.