Colorectal cancer

    How colorectal cancer originates
    Most colorectal tumors develop for a long time, over many years. It all starts with a benign polyp on the mucous membrane of the colon or rectum. But not every polyp is subsequently transformed into a malignant tumor, everything here depends on its type:
an adenomatous polyp (adenoma) is just those “unreliable” polyps from an oncological point of view. That is why adenoma is called a precancerous condition;
hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps, in general, do not tend to malignancy. However, in some sources, hyperplastic polyps are also classified as, let’s say, risky neoplasms.
    Risk factors and causes of colorectal cancer
    Age. This type of cancer, of course, can develop at a young age, but, as a rule, people over 50 suffer from it;
     Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g. ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease);
     Burdened family history (presence of cases of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps in the genus);
     Inherited syndromes (Turco syndrome, Peitz–Jaegers syndrome, MUTYH gene-associated polyposis). From 5 to 10% of patients with colorectal cancer have hereditary gene defects (mutations) that are the cause of the disease. In such cases, cancer usually develops at a young age;
    Racial and ethnic factors (African Americans and Eastern European Jews are most likely to suffer from colorectal cancer);
    Type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent).
    Lifestyle-related factors (modifiable):
    Certain types of diets. A diet enriched with red meat (beef, lamb, liver), hot dogs and sausage can provoke colorectal cancer. Conversely, a diet focusing on vegetables, fruits and cereals helps to reduce this risk. As for other components of nutrition, for example, certain types of fats, their effect on colorectal cancer has not been fully studied;
    Physical inactivity;
    Fatness;
    Smoking;
    Alcohol abuse. In some ways, this is due to the low content of folic acid in the body, which active lovers of strong drinks are prone to.
    Symptoms of colorectal cancer.
    Colorectal cancer can cause one or more of the following symptoms, in the presence of which it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor in order to find out what is the matter:
changes in the usual rhythm of defecation. This is diarrhea, constipation, or a decrease in fecal mass lasting more than a few days;
the feeling of having to go “big”, which does not go away after the materialization of this desire;
bleeding from the rectum, darkening or traces of blood in the feces (often in their normal appearance);
cramps or pulling pains in the stomach;
weakness and exhaustion;
unexplained weight loss.
     Examination plan for a patient with colo-rectal cancer
 –Total colonoscopy with biopsy
— Irrigation
— Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
— CT scan of the organs of the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, small pelvis with intravenous contrast
— MRI of the pelvic organs (for patients with rectal cancer)
— ECG, consultation with a therapist
— Gynecologist’s examination
— Consultation of related specialists, if necessary.
     Currently, an important preventive measure for cancer is screening of the attached population, which is now carried out in every polyclinic in the city. What is screening?
     Screening is a preventive medical examination of healthy people of a certain age to identify risk factors and diseases in the early stages. Screening examinations help to identify the disease at an early stage or a predisposition to it, choose the optimal treatment and prescribe a set of preventive measures. Screening is also carried out for certain types of cancer or precancerous lesions. This is done in order to identify signs of the possible presence of certain types of cancer, or precancerous lesions at the stage preceding the development of symptoms. If pathological processes are detected during screening, patients are referred for further diagnosis to confirm or exclude the diagnosis, after which, if necessary, they are prescribed specialized treatment. For example, for men – for colorectal cancer. All these surveys are free for the public.
     The following recommendations for the population have been identified as an exception to risk factors:
giving up tobacco use;
maintaining a healthy body weight;
a healthy diet including fruits and vegetables;
regular physical activity;
abstaining from the harmful use of alcohol;
exclusion of ultraviolet radiation (primarily as a result of exposure to sunlight or artificial tanning devices);
passing a regular screening examination.