Colorectal Cancer can change the life of person up to 360 degrees. Life of a cancer patient is like a pandemic that is full uncertainty. For a cancer patient, the life crumbles right in front of him, not knowing where it would eventually take him and what would be the end results. With hopelessness looming around, knowing about the risk factors and listening to the stories of other brave warriors fighting the cancer, gives you much-need motivation and a comfort level.
How colorectal cancer affects the lives of patients?
It can cause Embarrassment
Colorectal cancer is associated with poop, farts, and examination of parts people are not comfortable exposing. So, talking about the symptoms and different interventions can be uncomfortable for many. Breaking the news of cancer in itself is devastating sending patients into the realm of despair and depression.
Depression & Worthlessness
It requires a lot of courage to fight cancer. Chemotherapy can cause loss of hair and decreased immunity putting patients at risk of infections. Frequent hospital follow-ups as well as different therapies can be financially and emotionally straining.
The life of cancer patients is different from normal people living around them. Patients may be normal in one second and maybe rolling with abdominal pain in the very next moment, it’s better to avoid comparison.
FACTORS LEADING TO CANCER
Genetics
Many different factors are responsible for cancer development. A non-avoidable risk factor is a genetic predisposition. Lynch syndrome is one of them. It is characterized by younger-onset colorectal carcinoma.
It is hereditary and the affected gene can be passed to the next generation too. Lynch syndrome is also known as hereditary no polyposis colorectal carcinoma. The earliest feature is a non-cancerous mushroom-like outgrowth in the colon or rectum. These growths later develop into cancers and invade the wall of the colon. In later stages, cancer can spread to distant organs too.
Age
Usually, cancer used to be more common among elder people more than 50 years of age. Now its number is increasing among young individuals too. In genetically affected people, it develops much earlier. According to recent facts and figures, people less than 50 years of age are two times more prone to developing colorectal cancer.
Known case of IBS
Family History of Colorectal Cancer
Ethnicity
PRECAUTIONS
Early Screening
People with a known family history are at higher risks of developing cancer at an early age so it is recommended to undergo colonoscopies for early detection. Screening starts at 45 years of age. If polyps are present, they can be removed before their conversion into cancerous growths.
Diet
Adding lots of vegetables, fruits and grains in a balanced proportion can decrease the chances of developing colorectal carcinoma.
Physical Activity
Physically inactive people are at increased risk of developing cancer. Last but not the least, stop smoking today to save yourself from cancer.
Treatment
The chances of beating cancer depend on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Staging means to what extent cancer has invaded the different parts of the bowel wall and surrounding organs.
After complete cure, remissions can occur and that can be a lot of hassle for the patients. Treatment options can vary from patient to patient. The typical route is to go for surgery first and then several chemotherapy sessions.
Palliative treatment is given in case of advanced cancer. It maximizes the chances of survival and provides symptomatic treatment to the patient. This treatment makes life easy and close to normal.