What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be named colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start.
Note: Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.
Statistics
Hong Kong
Pakistan
Nepal
India
Signs and Symptoms
Early stage colorectal cancer may not have any symptoms.
- Blood mixed with feces.
- Mucus in the feces.
- Change in bowel habit (e.g. Passing stool more often than usual, diarrhea alternating with constipation).
- Bloating (stomach feeling full of gas or fluid, that is unpleasant).
- Abdominal (Tummy) pains.
- Generally unwell, tiredness and weight loss.
Risk Factors
Modifiable: Mainly related to sedentary lifestyle
Non-Modifiable:
High consumption of red meat and processed meat
Lack of physical activity
- Men aged 50 or above
- History of colonic polyps
Being obese
Excessive alcohol consumption
Family history of colorectal cancer
- If your parent, sibling, or children has colorectal cancer, risk of developing the disease increases 2-3 folds.
Hereditary bowel diseases
Prolonged history of inflammation of the bowel
Smoking
Please note:
Having above risk factor does not mean that you must have colorectal cancer – it only means that your risk of developing colorectal cancer may be higher than average and you should seek further medical advice from your doctor.
Screening Tests
Preventive Measures
Eat high fiber diet such as, vegetables, fruits, whole grain, etc
Reduce consumption of red meat
Do regular exercise (30 minutes every day)
Maintain a healthy body weight
Reduce alcohol intake
Do not smoke
