colon problems | Colon cancer (colorectal cancer)

Colon cancer (colorectal cancer)


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Summary
Colon cancer: what is it?
Symptoms, people and risk factors for colon cancer
Colon cancer prevention
Medical treatments for colon cancer
The opinion of our doctor
Complementary approaches
Sites of interest and support groups
References
As its name suggests, colorectal cancer is formed in the colon or rectum, the last part of the large intestine.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada for both men and women. One in 14 men and one in 15 women are at risk of colorectal cancer in their lifetime1.



Colorectal cancer is much more common in industrialized countries. Lifestyle habits, mainly diet, play a key role in its appearance. This explains, for example, that the Japanese, little affected by colorectal cancer in Japan, become as much as their fellow Americans a few years after emigrating to the United States and adopted their diet.


Some people may contract it because of a hereditary predisposition. But in 75% of cases, heredity is not in question.

Evolution
Colorectal cancer takes several years to develop, like most cancers. It usually does it from polyps in the wall lining the inside of the colon. Polyps are small, fleshy growths. There are several kinds of it. Most often, they are benign. However, we know that some of them can become cancerous. It takes an average of 10 years for a polyp to form a cancerous tumor. Polyps (cancerous or not) sometimes cause digestive discomfort. For more information, see our leaflet Intestinal Polyps.

As soon as the doctor detects polyps in a patient, he conducts tests to find out if they pose a risk to his health.

At an advanced stage of development, colorectal cancer can spread to the lymph nodes, then to the liver and then to other parts of the body, forming metastases.

In Canada, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death. The death rate 5 years after diagnosis is about 40%, in both sexes.

Currently, more than half of cases are diagnosed in people aged 70 and older1. Health professionals would like more people to be screened regularly by the age of 50, and earlier for people at risk. The sooner cancer is detected, and it is possible to do so before the onset of symptoms, the better the chances of recovery.

When to consult
If there is blood in the stool or persistent diarrhea or constipation, it is important to consult a doctor. For people at risk, it is advisable to be tested. Discuss with your doctor.