Colorectal Cancer

• Personal history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• A strong family history of the disease
• Inherited forms of colorectal polyps or cancer e.g. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
• Previous Colorectal, ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer
• Predisposing chronic digestive condition such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Age > 50
• Poor diet (increased fat, red meat and reduced fibre)
• Smoking
• Diabetes mellitus
• Exposure to radiation

Often asymptomatic; this is why screening for colorectal cancer is so important. When symptoms occur, they include:-
•    New onset of abdominal pain
•    Bleeding from the rectum
•    Blood in or on the stool
•    A change in stool caliber or shape
•    A change in typical bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea
•    Weakness, anemia, weight loss, palpable mass, obstruction
•    Jaundice.

Diagnosis is through symptoms, screening and investigations. Early diagnosis results in better prognosis.

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE); most common exam
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
• Sigmoidoscopy and/or Colonoscopy
• Carcinogenic Embryonic Antigen (CEA)
• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
• X-ray and abdominal CT scan/ultrasound
• Laboratory: Complete Blood Count, urinalysis, liver function tests

Colorectal cancer is managed through -Surgery
 -Adjuvant Therapy
•    Radiotherapy
•    Chemotherapy