Colorectal Cancer
Did you know that Colorectal Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst men and second most in women in Singapore?
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon (or the large intestine) and the rectum.
The colon serves several important functions in the human body
- Primary purpose is to absorb water, electrolytes and vitamins from indigestible food material in the small intestine
- The residue is then converted into waste by bacteria
- Waste is then transported to the rectum before it is eliminated from the body through the anus
Colorectal cancer may be caused by a combination of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors.
What are the risk factors of Colorectal Cancer?
Risk factors that cannot be changed are:
- Age: persons aged 50 years and above are at risk of developing colorectal cancer. And the risk increases as you get older.
- Family history with colorectal cancer or polyps increases your risk of developing the disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Risk factors that are changeable:
- Diet high in red meat and low in fibre may increase the risk of colorectal cancer
- Physical inactivity and obesity: a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer
- Tobacco use: smokers are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer
- Alcohol consumption: heavy drinking increases the risk of colorectal cancer
It’s important to note that having a risk factor does not guarantee that you will develop colorectal cancer, and many people with colorectal cancer have no known risk factors.
What are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
It is crucial to also know the symptoms of colorectal cancer. Some of the symptoms are
- A sudden change in your bowel habits, this includes diarrhoea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- Presence of a lump in the abdomen
- Persistent abdominal discomfort such as cramps, gas or pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
If the above symptoms are present or if you have any concerns, do make an appointment with your doctor.
Persons aged 50 years old and above are recommended to go for annual Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). FIT is a preliminary test that detects the presence of small amounts of blood in faeces, which is usually invisible to the naked eye. Read more about FIT here.
The test is available in a kit and can be carried out in the comfort of your own home – you are advised to collect two stool samples, each from a fresh bowel movement, over two days for a more accurate result. After which you can simply post the tests using the pre-paid envelope that will be provided.
Our doctors would be able to advise you better upon seeing the results of your FIT. Further procedures may be required to confirm diagnosis and determine if you are at a high or low risk.
How can I prevent colorectal cancer?
You can also prevent colorectal cancer and many other diseases by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Take steps to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by
- Eating a healthier diet:, one high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as they contain fibre and antioxidants
- Limiting fat consumption especially saturated fat from animal sources such as red meat, milk and dairy
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Reduce or stop smoking
- Stay physically active (recommended 150 minutes per week) to maintain a healthy body weight
When detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer is often confined to the large intestine and treatment options are available.
If left untreated, cancerous cells can spread to other parts of the body. Health screening allows early detection and appropriate treatment to be given, thus improving the chances of successful outcomes.
Contact AcuMed to speak to our doctors and get your kit today!